Forklifts
Forklifts are utilized to transfer, lift and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing operation. 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 kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the operator. Fork trucks have features like backup alarms, and cabs and are also motorized. Some types of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other types of forklifts come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a turntable or a hand rail.
Other specifications which are vital to consider when choosing a forklift are the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and fully raised lift positions.
Some of the other key specifications for the forklift are tire type and fuel type. The available fuel choices are: LP or liquid propane, natural gas, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, propane or diesel.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic types of tires which could be used. They are: solid and pneumatic. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires offer load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires provide less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are generally designed to be used on rough terrain. These machines are often used in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks frequently fit in this class.