Forklifts
Forklifts are used to transfer, lift and engage palletized loads in material handling, construction, manufacturing and warehousing operation. 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 models, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the operator. Fork trucks include features like for instance cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Some models of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other kinds of forklifts are offered with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a turntable or a hand rail.
The stroke and lift capacity are other specification that you must take into account when choosing a type of forklift. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely raised and fully lowered lift positions.
Some of the other important specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The available fuel choices are: LP or liquid propane, natural gas, electricity, compressed natural gas or CNG, diesel, gasoline or propane.
For forklifts and fork trucks, there are two basic kinds of tires that could be used. They are: solid and pneumatic. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires offer load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Normally utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These kinds of 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.