Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are utilized in a variety of daily tasks in both retail and warehouse environments, like raising heavy product, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. Based on the Industrial Truck Association there are eight forklift classes. The equipment are classified based on kind of tire, type of engine or motor, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also referred to as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are standard electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which are often utilized to move pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
These trucks do not require 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 like those found in automobiles. They come with either solid tires or cushion tires. usually the rear of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the machinery much more stable.
Class V forklifts are like Class IV forklifts because both have internal combustion engines and are normally counterbalanced. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks utilize 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 over 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 pneumatic tires and internal combustion engines. They are commonly employed 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 specific 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 personnel and burden carriers.