Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads within manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic types of forklifts: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking behind the machine 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 in order to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and comprise features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the equipment from tipping over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other types of hand rails.
Essential specifications to take into consideration when selecting forklifts consist of lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks include electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units may have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III lift trucks 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 forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Additionally, this class uses solid or cushion tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like 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.
Finally, 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 personnel carriers and burden carriers.