Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transport palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main types of forklifts: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts 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 comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and include features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into account include lift capacity and stroke. 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 consist of their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts include various fuel options such as: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and need less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand offer excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These models provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include 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 cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class uses solid or cushion tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This 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 commonly utilized in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks include all personnel carriers and burden carriers.