Lift trucks are utilized to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 basic types of forklifts: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The load movement or travel 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 numerous cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and comprise features like for instance cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different types of hand rails.
When choosing forklifts, important specifications to take into account 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 supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts consist of different fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units are counterbalanced and could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These models provide 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 usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Moreover, this class has 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 lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.