Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, raise and engage palletized loads in construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing applications. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the operator. Fork trucks include features like for example backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Several models of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other kinds of forklifts come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a turntable or a hand rail.
The lift capacity and stroke are other specification which you should take into consideration when selecting a kind of forklift. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other vital specifications that should be considered. The available fuel choices are: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel, gasoline or propane.
There are two basic types of tires for forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. The cushion or solid tires need less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires offer great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Class VII forklifts are generally designed for use on rough terrain. These kinds of equipment are often used 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.