Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 basic types of lift trucks: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model forklifts are equipped with a motorized drive. In a lot of instances, a seat or protected cab is part of the design to keep the operator safe and comfortable. Fork trucks are a different kind that are motorized and include features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machine from overturning, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other types of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, important specifications to take into account comprise lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the supportable, maximum load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts consist of their tire and type of fuel.
Forklifts include various fuel options such as: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires do not puncture and need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. 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 that are electric-motor rider trucks. Typically, rider units may have either pneumatic or cushion wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units that are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle environments. These types of forklifts offer extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have seated controls and cabs. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this class has cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These equipment will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and IC or internal combustion engines. Like Class IV lift trucks, 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.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all personnel carriers and burden carriers.