Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in a variety of daily tasks in both retail and warehouse settings, like lifting heavy product, stocking shelves and delivering loads of goods. According to the Industrial Truck Association there are eight classes of forklift. The equipment are classified based on kind of engine or motor, kind of tires, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
This class includes all regular electric motor lift trucks. Kinds of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are often 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 forklifts with swinging masts and side-loading models.
Class III forklifts - Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class IV forklifts - Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts
IC engine forklifts are quite like standard car engines. These equipment do come with solid tires or cushion tires. Often the rear of the truck has a counterweight to make the equipment more stable.
Both Class V and Class IV are normally counterbalance forklifts with internal combustion engines. The difference is in the tires which are used. Class V trucks use pneumatic or radial tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
Class VI lift trucks are sit down trailers that tow bulky loads, loads up to 450 kilograms. These trucks can come with either an electric motor or an IC engine.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
Class VII lift trucks have IC engines and pneumatic tires, which are best utilized in rough terrains such as logging, agriculture and construction. These trucks are great for worksites where the ground is rough and uneven and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These specific trucks are all manually operated by a person who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally hydraulically operated, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of personnel and burden carriers.