Forklifts
In material handling, construction, warehousing and manufacturing operation, forklifts are usually utilized to transport and lift palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or powered manually. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In various types 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. Various kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other models come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a hand rail or a turntable.
The lift capacity and stroke are other specification that you should take into consideration 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 key specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The fuel choices available include: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, CNG or compressed natural gas, electricity, propane, diesel or gasoline.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic kinds of tires that can be utilized. They are: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than 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, cushion or solid tires provide less shock absorption.
Generally utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These machinery are normally utilized in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks often fit in this class.