Definition of Forklift Classes
The forklift is utilized in many retail and warehouse environments for various everyday task, including carrying bulky merchandise, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight forklift classes. The equipment are classified based on type of motor or engine, type of tires, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all standard electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift include the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that 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 a lot of space to operate. Class II trucks consist of forklifts with swinging masts and side-loading models.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
IC engine forklifts are quite similar to regular car engines. These machines do come with cushion tires or solid tires. usually the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machinery much more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts since both have IC engines and are normally counterbalanced. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks use pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
Class VI lift trucks are sit down trailers which tow heavy loads, loads up to 450 kilograms. These trucks could are available 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 usually utilized in agriculture, construction and logging. These trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is riddled with debris and is rough and uneven.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by an individual who pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are usually hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes personnel and burden carriers.