Komatsu

Forklifts are used to raise, engage and transport palletized loads in warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications. There are 3 main kinds of forklifts: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the rear of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.

The motorized forklift models come complete with a motorized drive and in a lot of cases have a seat or protected cab in their design in order to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different type that are motorized and comprise features like for instance backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the equipment from turning over, several lift trucks are counterbalanced. Other kinds of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element like for instance a turntable or different types of hand rails.

When choosing lift trucks, important specifications to take into consideration consist of lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Additional specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and type of fuel.

Different fuel options for forklifts consist of: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas and gasoline. There are 2 basic types of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Solid or cushion tires do not puncture and need less maintenance than pneumatic tires. The cushion or solid tires do offer less shock absorption overall. Air-inflated or pneumatic tires however offer great load-cushioning and drive traction.

There are 7 classes of lift trucks. The first class of lift trucks, Class I, is either stand-up or seated 3 wheeled units which are electric-motor rider trucks. Typically, rider units can have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are used for stock applications or order picking in narrow aisle setting. These models offer extra swing mast or reach functions.

Forklift Class III lift trucks include walk-behind or standing-rider operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV forklifts have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this class has solid or cushion tires.

Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These equipment would have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Similar to Class IV lift trucks, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with electric or internal combustion or IC engines.

Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the perfect choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in logging, agricultural and construction applications. Class VII forklifts consist of all personnel carriers and burden carriers.

Click to Download the pdf

Forklift Parts