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