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