Lift trucks are utilized to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: 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 complete with a motorized drive. In many instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and comprise features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from turning over, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Essential specifications to take into consideration when selecting lift trucks comprise stroke and lift capacity. 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 type of fuel and tire.
Forklifts include various fuel options like: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires on the other hand provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. The first class of forklifts, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Typically, rider units may have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Moreover, this class uses solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines would have cabs and seated controls, 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 that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Class VII lift trucks are the last classification and include rough terrain forklifts, that are normally utilized in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.