Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are utilized in a variety of daily tasks in both warehouse and retail environments, like lifting heavy merchandise, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The machinery are classified according to kind of tire, type of engine or motor, and the way the machine is steered. Forklifts are also referred to as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are regular electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift comprise the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that 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 a lot of space for operation. Class II trucks comprise 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 automobile engines. These equipment do come with solid tires or cushion tires. Often the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the equipment more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts because both have IC engines and are normally 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 which could lift heavy loads and pull loads weighing over 450 kilograms. These trucks can come with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have pneumatic tires and IC engines, that are best used in rough terrains like construction, logging and agriculture. 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 a person who pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are usually operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of burden and personnel carriers.