Forklifts
In material handling, construction, manufacturing and warehousing applications, forklifts are normally used to transport and raise palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the load or travel movement is either walk-behind or manually powered. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In various kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the operator. Fork trucks include features like cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Several models of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other models come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a hand rail or a turntable.
Other specifications which are important to consider when choosing a forklift are the stroke and lift capacity. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely raised and fully lowered lift positions.
The type of fuel and the type of tire are also other important specifications that must be considered. The available fuel choices include: liquid propane or LP, natural gas, compressed natural gas or CNG, electricity, gasoline, propane or diesel.
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 puncture as easy. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires offer load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires offer less shock absorption.
Usually utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of machinery are usually utilized in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.