Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are utilized in a variety of everyday tasks in both warehouse and retail environments, like raising heavy product, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight categories of forklift. The machinery are classified based on type of tire, kind of motor or engine, and the way the machinery is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are standard electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are commonly utilized to move pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not need a lot of space for operation. Class II trucks comprise 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 similar to regular automobile engines. These equipment do come with solid tires or cushion tires. usually the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machine more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts because both have IC engines and are usually counterbalanced. The difference is in the tires that are utilized. Class V trucks use pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
Class VI lift trucks are sit down trailers that tow bulky loads, loads up to 450 kilograms. These trucks can come with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
This class of lift truck has pneumatic tires and internal combustion engines. They are normally employed in logging, agriculture and construction. These type of trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is uneven and rough and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These specific trucks are all manually operated by a person who pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of burden and personnel carriers.