Lift trucks are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 basic 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 machine with manual-drive forklifts.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type which are motorized and comprise features like backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the machinery from overturning, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element like for example a turntable or other kinds of hand rails.
When choosing lift trucks, essential specifications to take into account 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 maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for lift trucks consist of their tire and type of fuel.
Forklifts include various fuel options like: LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic kinds of tires used for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The solid or cushion tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires however offer great drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 forklifts include electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Normally, rider units are counterbalanced and can have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These kinds of forklifts offer 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 normally counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These types of forklifts are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. Furthermore, this class uses solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are included in Class V. These machines will have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are usually counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with internal combustion or IC or electric engines.
Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal option for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in agricultural, construction and logging applications. Class VII lift trucks consist of all burden carriers and personnel carriers.