Definition of Forklift Classes
The forklift is utilized in numerous retail and warehouse environments for various everyday task, including carrying heavy product, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The equipment are classified based on type of tire, kind of engine or motor, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all regular electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which are often utilized to transport pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
These trucks do not require much space to operate. Class II trucks include side-loading models and forklifts with swinging masts.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
These trucks have engines like those found in automobiles. They come with either cushion tires or solid tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight to make the machinery much more stable.
Class V forklifts are like Class IV forklifts because both have IC engines and are normally counterbalanced. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks utilize pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors which can lift bulky loads and pull loads weighing over 450 kilograms. These trucks could are available with either an an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have pneumatic tires and IC engines, that are best used in rough terrains such as construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is riddled with debris and is uneven and rough.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by an individual who pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes personnel and burden carriers.