Forklifts are used in warehousing, manufacturing, construction, mining and material handling applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 main types: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in many cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and include features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into account comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks include their fuel type and tire.
Forklifts consist of various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand offer great load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Typically, rider units could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These types of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Additionally, this class uses cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.