Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transport, raise and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either manually powered or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In numerous types of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features such as cabs, and backup alarms and are also motorized. Various types of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other types of forklifts come equipped with safety rails, or a rotating element like a hand rail or a turntable.
Other specifications which are essential to think about when selecting a forklift include the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely lowered and fully raised lift positions.
Several of the other key specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The fuel choices available are: natural gas, liquid propane or LP, electricity, CNG or compressed natural gas, gasoline, propane or diesel.
There are two basic kinds of tires for fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are normally designed to be utilized on rough terrain. These types of machines are usually used in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts have all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.