Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in various daily tasks in retail and warehouse environments, such as raising bulky merchandise, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight categories of forklift. The equipment are classified according to type 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 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 typical automobile engines. These machines do come with solid tires or cushion tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight to make the machine a lot more stable.
Both Class IV and Class V are usually counterbalance forklifts with internal combustion engines. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks utilize radial or pneumatic tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
Class VI lift trucks are sit down trailers which tow bulky loads, loads up to 450 kilograms. These trucks can are available with either an an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
This class of lift truck has internal combustion engines and pneumatic tires. They are normally used in agriculture, construction and logging. These kind of trucks are great for worksites where the ground is rough and uneven and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These specific trucks are all manually operated by an individual who pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are normally operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of burden and personnel carriers.