Lift trucks are used in warehousing, manufacturing, mining, material handling and construction applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 main kinds: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the equipment with manual-drive forklifts.
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 comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and include features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from overturning, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like a turntable or different kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing lift trucks 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 supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks comprise their tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic types of tires used for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do provide less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide excellent load-cushioning and drive traction.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of forklifts, Class I, is either stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Usually, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are utilized for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts offer extra reach functions or swing mast.
Class III forklifts are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Moreover, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are normally 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.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all employee carriers and burden carriers.