Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, raise and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many models, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the driver. Fork trucks have features like for instance backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Several models of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other types of forklifts are offered with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors which are important to consider when choosing a forklift include the stroke and lift capacity. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of fuel and the type of tire are also other important specifications that should be considered. The fuel choices available include: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, propane or diesel.
There are two basic types of tires utilized for forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires offer great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Normally utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of machinery are often utilized in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.