Forklifts
Forklifts are utilized to transfer, lift and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either manually powered or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the driver. Fork trucks include features like backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Some kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other types of forklifts come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a turntable or a hand rail.
Other factors which are vital to think about when selecting 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 completely raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other vital specifications which must be considered. The available fuel choices are: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, propane, diesel or gasoline.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic types of tires that could be used. They are: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture easily. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are generally designed to be used on rough terrain. These machinery are usually used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts often fit in this class.