Forklifts
In material handling, construction, manufacturing and warehousing operation, forklifts are usually used to transport and lift palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either manually powered or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In numerous kinds of forklifts, 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. Several kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other kinds of forklifts come equipped with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors that are essential to consider when selecting a forklift include the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely lowered and completely raised lift positions.
Some of the other key specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The available fuel choices include: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, electricity, CNG or compressed natural gas, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For fork trucks and forklifts, there are two basic kinds of tires that could be used. They are: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires offer load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Normally used on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These equipment are often utilized in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts have all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks frequently fit in this class.