Komatsu

Lift trucks are utilized within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, construction and mining applications to raise, engage and transfer palletized loads. Lift trucks have 3 basic types: a motorized drive, fork truck and manual drive. The travel or load movement is powered manually or by walking at the back of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.

The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are a different kind which are motorized and consist of features such as cabs and backup alarms. In order to prevent the vehicle from overturning, several forklifts are counterbalanced. Other models include safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different types of hand rails.

When choosing lift trucks, important specifications to take into account consist of stroke and lift capacity. 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 lift trucks consist of their tire and type of fuel.

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

For lift trucks, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Usually, rider units are counterbalanced and could have either pneumatic or cushion wheels. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle environments. These models provide extra reach functions or swing mast.

Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. High lift models and automated pallet lift trucks are normally counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with internal combustion or IC engines. In addition, this class has solid or cushion tires.

Class V forklifts are rider fork trucks. They have seated controls and cabs, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI forklifts are tow tractor lifts that are designed for a sit-down rider. This class is supplied with IC or internal combustion or electric engines.

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

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Forklift Parts