Forklifts
In material handling, construction, warehousing and manufacturing applications, forklifts are normally utilized to transport and raise palletized loads. With manual-drive forklifts, the travel or load movement is either walk-behind or powered manually. Motorized drive forklifts have a motorized drive. In numerous kinds of forklifts, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features like cabs, and backup alarms and are also motorized. Some types of forklifts are counterbalanced so as to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other models are available with safety rails, or a rotating element like a turntable or a hand rail.
The lift capacity and stroke are other specification that you should take into consideration when choosing a type of forklift. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum force or load. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully lowered and fully raised lift positions.
Several of the other important specifications for the forklift are fuel type and tire type. The available fuel choices are: natural gas, liquid propane or LP, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, propane or diesel.
There are two basic kinds of tires for fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Normally used on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These machinery are usually used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.