Lift trucks are utilized within manufacturing, warehousing, construction, mining and material handling applications to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads. Forklifts have 3 basic 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 forklifts.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are complete with a motorized drive. In a lot of 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 type that are motorized and include features like backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
When selecting forklifts, important specifications to take into account comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major kinds of tires utilized for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide great 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. Typically, rider units could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. 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.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Moreover, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks include all employee carriers and burden carriers.