Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are utilized in a variety of everyday tasks in both retail and warehouse environments, such as raising bulky product, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The machinery are classified based on type of tire, kind of engine or motor, and the way the machine is steered. Forklifts are also referred to as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all regular electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift comprise the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are often used to move pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
These trucks do not need a lot of space to operate. Class II trucks consist of forklifts with swinging masts and side-loading models.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
These trucks have engines like those found in automobiles. They come with either solid tires or cushion tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machinery much more stable.
Both Class V and Class IV are normally counterbalance forklifts with internal combustion engines. The difference is in the tires that are used. Class V trucks utilize pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors which could lift heavy loads and pull loads weighing more than 450 kilograms. These trucks could are available with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have pneumatic tires and IC engines, which are best used in rough terrains such as logging, agriculture and construction. These kind of trucks are great for worksites where the ground is riddled with debris and is uneven and rough.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by an individual who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes burden and personnel carriers.