Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are utilized in various everyday tasks in both retail and warehouse environments, such as lifting heavy product, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight forklift categories. The equipment are classified based on type of motor or engine, kind of tires, and the way the machinery is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all standard electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are commonly used to move pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not need much space for operation. Class II trucks include 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 like regular car engines. These equipment do come with cushion tires or solid tires. usually the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the equipment 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 tires that are used. Class V trucks use radial or pneumatic tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors that could lift bulky loads and pull loads weighing over 450 kilograms. These trucks could come with either an an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have IC engines and pneumatic tires, that are best utilized in rough terrains such as construction, logging and agriculture. These type of trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is rough and uneven and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These trucks are hand pallet lift trucks operated by an individual who either pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes personnel and burden carriers.