Lift trucks are used in warehousing, manufacturing, construction, mining and material handling applications to raise, engage and transport palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic types: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the machinery with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in numerous cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and include features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration include lift capacity and stroke. 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 tire and fuel type.
Forklifts comprise various fuel options such as: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption in general. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer great drive traction and load-cushioning.
There are 7 classes of forklifts. 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 can have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that 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 include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These machines would have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are typically 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.
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 include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.