Forklifts
Forklifts are utilized to transfer, lift 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 numerous models, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks have features like for instance cabs, and backup alarms and are also motorized. Several models of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from turning over. Other models come outfitted with safety rails, or a rotating element such as a hand rail or a turntable.
Other specifications that are important to consider when selecting a forklift are the stroke and lift capacity. Lift capacity is defined as the supportable, maximum load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between fully raised and fully lowered lift positions.
Several of the other key specifications for the forklift are fuel type and tire type. The available fuel choices include: liquid propane or LP, natural gas, CNG or compressed natural gas, electricity, propane, diesel or gasoline.
There are two basic kinds of tires for fork trucks and forklifts: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture as easy. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires provide less shock absorption.
Generally utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of machinery are usually utilized in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all burden and personnel carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts frequently fit in this class.