Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic kinds of forklifts: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual 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 in order to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and consist of features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for example a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when selecting forklifts 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 supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for forklifts consist of: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. The first class of forklifts, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Normally, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These kinds of forklifts offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Moreover, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Finally, Class VII forklifts are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.