Lift trucks are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of forklifts: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel 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 many 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 type which are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration include stroke and lift capacity. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts include their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts include: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major kinds of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however provide excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. 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 may have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These kinds of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have seated controls and cabs. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class has 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 lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Class VII lift trucks are the last classification and consist of rough terrain forklifts, that are usually used in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks include all employee carriers and burden carriers.