Lift trucks are utilized to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the machinery with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in lots of cases have a protected cab or seat in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type which are motorized and consist of features like for instance cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machinery from overturning, some lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing lift trucks consist of lift capacity and stroke. 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 comprise their fuel type and tire.
Different fuel options for forklifts consist of: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and require 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 drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units that are used for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These kinds of forklifts provide extra swing mast or reach functions.
Forklift Class III lift trucks include standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are often counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks 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.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These machines will have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like 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 internal combustion or IC engines.
Lastly, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks include all employee carriers and burden carriers.