Lift trucks are used in manufacturing, warehousing, mining, material handling and construction applications to lift, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the machine with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in a lot of cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machinery from overturning, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models comprise safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Essential specifications to take into consideration when selecting forklifts consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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 include their tire and type of fuel.
Different fuel options for forklifts include: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 major types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Normally, rider units may have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These models provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Class III forklifts are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are usually counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class utilizes cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to 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 class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion 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 forklifts include all employee carriers and burden carriers.