Forklifts
In construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing operation, forklifts are usually used to move and lift palletized loads. 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 kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the operator. Fork trucks have features such as cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Several kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other types of forklifts come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a turntable or a hand rail.
Other specifications which are essential to think about when selecting a forklift are the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other important specifications that must be considered. The fuel choices available are: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic types of tires that could be utilized. They are: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires provide less shock absorption.
Generally used on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These machines are usually used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks often fit in this class.