Lift trucks are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic kinds 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.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in many cases have a protected cab or seat in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type which are motorized and include features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machinery from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into consideration 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. Additional specifications for lift trucks consist of their fuel type and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 major types of tires used for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however provide excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units that are electric-motor rider trucks. Normally, rider units are counterbalanced and may 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.
Class III forklifts are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models 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. In addition, this class uses 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. Similar to Class IV forklifts, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.