Forklifts
In construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing operation, forklifts are normally used to move and raise palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either powered manually or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many types of forklifts, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the driver. Fork trucks include features such as backup alarms, and cabs and are also motorized. Several types of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other models come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element like for instance a hand rail or a turntable.
Other specifications which are vital to consider when choosing a forklift include the stroke and lift capacity. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and fully raised lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other important specifications which must be considered. The available fuel choices are: liquid propane or LP, natural gas, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For fork trucks and forklifts, there are two basic kinds of tires which can be used. They are: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Usually utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of 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 forklifts typically fit in this class.