Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, raise and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, manufacturing and warehousing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In numerous models, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features like backup alarms, and cabs and are also motorized. Some kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other types of forklifts are available with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a turntable or a hand rail.
The stroke and lift capacity are other specification which you should take into account when choosing a kind of forklift. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely raised and fully lowered lift positions.
Several of the other important specifications for the forklift include tire type and fuel type. The available fuel choices are: liquid propane or LP, natural gas, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel, gasoline or propane.
There are two basic types of tires utilized for fork trucks and forklifts: 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 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 used on rough terrain. These types of machinery are normally used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts frequently fit in this class.