Definition of Forklift Classes
The forklift is used in many retail and warehouse environments for various everyday task, like carrying heavy product, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight categories of forklift. The equipment are classified based on kind of tire, kind of motor or engine, 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 commonly used to transport pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not need much space for operation. Class II trucks include side-loading models and forklifts with swinging masts.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
IC engine forklifts are quite like standard automobile engines. These machinery do come with solid tires or cushion tires. usually the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machinery more stable.
Class V forklifts are like Class IV forklifts since both have internal combustion engines and are usually counterbalanced. The difference is in the tires that are utilized. Class V trucks utilize pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
Class VI lift trucks are sit down trailers that tow heavy loads, loads up to 450 kilograms. These trucks can come with either an an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have pneumatic tires and IC engines, that are best utilized in rough terrains such as construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are great for worksites where the ground is riddled with debris and is rough and uneven.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These trucks are hand pallet lift trucks operated by a person who either pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are normally operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of personnel and burden carriers.