Forklifts
In material handling, construction, warehousing and manufacturing applications, forklifts are commonly used to move and raise palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either powered manually or walk-behind. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In many types of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features such as cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Several kinds of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other types of forklifts are available with safety rails, or a rotating element like a hand rail or a turntable.
Other factors that are important to consider when choosing a forklift include the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and completely raised lift positions.
The type of tire and the type of fuel are also other important specifications that must be considered. The available fuel choices are: natural gas, liquid propane or LP, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel, gasoline or propane.
There are two basic kinds of tires used for fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires offer load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires provide less shock absorption.
Generally used on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of equipment are often used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts have all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts frequently fit in this class.