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 models, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the operator. Fork trucks have features like backup alarms, and cabs and are also motorized. Various kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other kinds of forklifts are available with safety rails, or a rotating element like a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors which are important to consider when choosing a forklift include 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 vital specifications which should be considered. The available fuel choices are: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic kinds 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 offer great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are usually designed to be utilized on rough terrain. These types of machinery 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.