Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in a variety of daily tasks in both retail and warehouse settings, like lifting bulky merchandise, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight forklift classes. The machines are classified based on kind of motor or engine, type of tires, and the way the machinery is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are regular electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which 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 much space to operate. 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 regular car engines. These machinery do come with solid tires or cushion tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machine a lot more stable.
Both Class V and Class IV are usually counterbalance forklifts with IC engines. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks come with radial or pneumatic 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 an IC engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
This class of lift truck has pneumatic tires and internal combustion engines. They are normally utilized in construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is rough and uneven and riddled with debris.
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 usually hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes burden and personnel carriers.