Forklifts are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main types of lift trucks: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type which are motorized and comprise features like for example cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other types of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing lift trucks include 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. Additional specifications for forklifts include their fuel type and tire.
Forklifts consist of various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, 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 need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption overall. 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 that are electric-motor rider trucks. Normally, rider units could have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These equipment will have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Class VII forklifts are the last classification and consist of rough terrain forklifts, which are commonly used in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all personnel carriers and burden carriers.