Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transport, lift and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In numerous models, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the operator. Fork trucks include features like for example backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Some kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other models come equipped with safety rails, or a rotating element like for instance a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors which are essential 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 completely 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 available fuel choices are: LP or liquid propane, natural gas, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel, gasoline or propane.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic types of tires which could be used. They are: solid and pneumatic. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture easily. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires provide less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are usually designed to be utilized on rough terrain. These machinery are often used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.