Lift trucks are used within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 basic kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in numerous cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and include features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration include stroke and lift capacity. 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. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise different fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide great load-cushioning and drive traction.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and may have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class uses cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks include all employee carriers and burden carriers.