Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, raise and engage palletized loads in material handling, construction, warehousing and manufacturing operation. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either walk-behind or powered manually. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many models, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks include features such as cabs, and backup alarms and are also motorized. Some kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other kinds of forklifts come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element like a hand rail or a turntable.
Other specifications which are important to consider when selecting a forklift are the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and fully raised lift positions.
The type of fuel and the type of tire are also other important specifications that must be considered. The fuel choices available include: liquid propane or LP, natural gas, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic types of tires which could be utilized. They are: solid and pneumatic. The solid or cushion 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 provide less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are usually designed to be used on rough terrain. These machinery are normally used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts have all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks often fit in this class.