Lift trucks are utilized in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 main types: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design in order to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and include features like for instance cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from tipping over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing forklifts consist of lift capacity and stroke. 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. Additional specifications for lift trucks comprise their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. 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.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units are counterbalanced and may have either pneumatic or cushion 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.
Class III forklifts are either standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These equipment would have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric 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 personnel carriers and burden carriers.