Lift trucks are utilized in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic kinds: a manual drive, motorized drive and fork truck. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In lots 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 kind which are motorized and comprise features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different types of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into consideration when selecting forklifts comprise 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.
Different fuel options for forklifts consist of: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand offer great drive traction and load-cushioning.
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. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These models offer 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 often counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Additionally, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are typically counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.