Lift trucks are used in manufacturing, warehousing, construction, mining and material handling applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 basic types: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In lots of instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and include features like for example cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from turning over, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
When choosing forklifts, important specifications to take into consideration include stroke and lift capacity. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts consist of their fuel type and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These models offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III lift trucks are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Moreover, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.