Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in a variety of daily tasks in both retail and warehouse environments, such as lifting bulky merchandise, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight categories of forklift. The machinery are classified based on kind of engine or motor, type of tires, and the way the machine is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are regular electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which are commonly utilized 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 include 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 similar to those found in automobiles. They come with either cushion tires or solid tires. Often the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the vehicle a lot 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 come with radial or pneumatic tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors that could lift heavy loads and pull loads weighing more than 450 kilograms. These trucks could come with either an an IC 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 usually employed in construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are great for worksites where the ground is uneven and rough and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by a person who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of burden and personnel carriers.