Definition of Forklift Classes
Forklifts are used in various daily tasks in warehouse and retail environments, such as 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 based on type of engine or motor, type of tires, and the way the equipment is steered. Forklifts are also called lift trucks.
Class I forklifts - Electric Motor Forklifts
These are regular electric motor lift trucks. Types of Class I forklift consist of the sit-down, three-wheeled varieties that are commonly used to transport pallets of mulch at home goods stores.
Class II forklifts - Narrow Aisle Electric Motor Lift Trucks
Narrow aisle trucks do not require a lot of space for operation. 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 standard car engines. These machinery do come with solid tires or cushion tires. Normally the back of the truck has a counterweight in order to make the vehicle much more stable.
Class V forklifts are like Class IV forklifts since both have IC engines and are normally counterbalanced. The difference is in the tires that are utilized. Class V trucks use radial or pneumatic tires.
Tractors
Class VI forklifts - Towing Tractor Lift Trucks
These trucks are sit-down tractors that can lift bulky loads and pull loads weighing over 450 kilograms. These trucks could come with either an an IC engine or an electric motor.
Class VII lift trucks - Rough Terrain Vehicles
This class of lift truck has internal combustion engines and pneumatic tires. They are usually used in construction, logging and agriculture. These trucks are recommended for worksites where the ground is rough and uneven and riddled with debris.
Class VIII forklifts - Manual Lift Trucks
These particular trucks are all manually operated by an individual who pushes or pulls the vehicle. The forks are normally operated hydraulically, and have a low maximum lift height. This class consists of personnel and burden carriers.