Lift trucks are used to lift, engage and transfer palletized loads within manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main types of lift trucks: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking behind the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
Motorized-drive model lift trucks 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 comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another kind which are motorized and consist of features like cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the machinery from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts consist of safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
When selecting lift trucks, essential specifications to take into consideration consist of stroke and lift capacity. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-raised and the fully-lowered lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks consist of their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for forklifts comprise: LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic types of tires used 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 cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand provide excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units are counterbalanced and could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II lift trucks are electric motor units which are used for stock applications or order picking 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 forklifts have seated controls and cabs. These kinds of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class uses cushion or solid tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These equipment would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, 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 IC or internal combustion or electric engines.
Lastly, Class VII forklifts 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 burden carriers and employee carriers.