Lift trucks are utilized to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main types of forklifts: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machine with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks are equipped with a motorized drive. In numerous instances, a protected cab or seat is part of the design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another type which are motorized and comprise features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from turning over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts 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 consideration consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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. Other specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. 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.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are utilized 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 usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Moreover, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V lift trucks are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Class VII lift trucks are the last classification and include rough terrain lift trucks, which are usually utilized in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks include all employee carriers and burden carriers.