Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, lift and engage palletized loads in material handling, construction, manufacturing and warehousing operation. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In various models, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the operator. Fork trucks include features like for example backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Several kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other models come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a hand rail or a turntable.
The stroke and lift capacity are other factors that you must take into consideration when selecting a type of forklift. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely lowered and fully raised lift positions.
Some of the other key specifications for the forklift are tire type and fuel type. The available fuel choices include: LP or liquid propane, natural gas, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For fork trucks and forklifts, there are two basic types of tires that can be used. They are: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are normally designed for use on rough terrain. These types of equipment are often used in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts have all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.