Lift trucks are used within manufacturing, warehousing, mining, material handling and construction applications to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 main types: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are complete with a motorized drive. In numerous instances, a protected cab or seat is part of the design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and consist of features like for example cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into consideration when choosing forklifts comprise 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 consist of their tire and fuel type.
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 kinds of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer great drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units are counterbalanced and may 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 setting. These models offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of 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. In addition, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, 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 that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII forklifts include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.