Forklifts are used within manufacturing, warehousing, construction, mining and material handling applications to lift, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic kinds: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are complete with a motorized drive. In lots of instances, a protected cab or seat is part of the design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and include features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration consist of 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. Other specifications for forklifts include their type of fuel and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts consist of: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide great drive traction and load-cushioning.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of forklifts, Class I, is either stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These models offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class utilizes solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These machines will have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all employee carriers and burden carriers.