Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in a variety of everyday tasks in both warehouse and retail settings, like lifting heavy product, delivering loads of goods and stocking shelves. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The equipment are classified according to type of tire, type of motor or engine, and the way the machinery is steered. Forklifts are also known as lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are standard electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift include the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties which are commonly used to move pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
These trucks do not need a lot of space to operate. Class II trucks consist of 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 similar to typical car engines. These equipment do come with solid tires or cushion tires. Normally the rear of the truck has a counterweight to make the machinery much more stable.
Class V forklifts are similar to Class IV forklifts since both have IC engines and are normally counterbalanced. The difference is in the tires that are used. Class V trucks utilize pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors which can lift heavy loads and pull loads weighing more than 450 kilograms. These trucks can are available with either an an internal combustion 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 construction, logging and agriculture. These kind of trucks are great for worksites where the ground is uneven and rough and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These trucks are hand pallet lift trucks operated by an individual who either pulls or pushes the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of personnel and burden carriers.