Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in various daily tasks in warehouse and retail environments, like lifting heavy merchandise, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The equipment are classified according to type of tire, kind of engine or motor, and the way the machine is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are standard electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift comprise the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which 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 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 cars. They come with either solid tires or cushion tires. Often the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the equipment much more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts since both have IC engines and are usually counterbalanced. The difference is in the tire. Class V trucks use radial or pneumatic tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors that could raise heavy loads and pull loads weighing over 450 kilograms. These trucks can 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 internal combustion engines and pneumatic tires. They are usually employed in agriculture, construction and logging. These trucks are recommended 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 pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are usually operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class includes personnel and burden carriers.