Forklifts
In construction, material handling, warehousing and manufacturing applications, forklifts are usually used to move 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 various models, the forklift has a protected cab or seat for the driver. Fork trucks include features like for example cabs, and backup alarms and are additionally motorized. Some models of forklifts are counterbalanced in order to prevent the vehicle from tipping over. Other models are offered with safety rails, or a rotating element like for example a hand rail or a turntable.
Other factors that are essential to think about when choosing a forklift are the lift capacity and stroke. Lift capacity is defined as the maximum, supportable load or force. Stroke is defined as the difference between completely lowered and completely raised lift positions.
Some of the other vital specifications for the forklift include fuel type and tire type. The available fuel choices include: natural gas, liquid propane or LP, CNG or compressed natural gas, electricity, gasoline, propane or diesel.
There are two basic kinds of tires for forklifts and fork trucks: solid and pneumatic. The cushion or solid tires require less maintenance than pneumatic tires and do not puncture easily. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires provide load cushioning and great drive traction. At the end of the day, cushion or solid tires offer less shock absorption.
Generally utilized on rough terrain are Class VII forklifts. These machinery are normally utilized in construction, agriculture and in logging environments. Last of all, Class VIII forklifts have all personnel and burden carriers. Dual Fuel forklifts typically fit in this class.