Forklifts
In material handling, construction, manufacturing and warehousing operation, forklifts are normally utilized to transport 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 numerous models, the forklift has a protected seat or cab for the driver. Fork trucks have features like backup alarms, and cabs and are additionally motorized. Several types 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 which are essential 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 fully raised and fully lowered lift positions.
Several of the other key specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The fuel choices available are: natural gas, LP or liquid propane, electricity, CNG or compressed natural gas, propane, diesel or gasoline.
There are two basic kinds of tires for fork trucks and forklifts: pneumatic and solid. The solid or cushion tires require less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not easily puncture. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires offer great drive traction and load-cushioning. At the end of the day, solid or cushion tires provide less shock absorption.
Usually utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These types of equipment are usually used in agriculture, construction and in logging environments. Lastly, Class VIII forklifts include all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel lift trucks typically fit in this class.