The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines a forklift, also called a powered industrial truck (PIT), as a vehicle used to tier, stack, pull, push, carry, or lift materials. Other names are lift truck, pallet truck, rider truck, lifttruck or forktruck. Before going out shopping for forklifts for sale in Dallas and in Fort Worth, TX, it is a good idea to make sure you know all the different classes of forklift to make sure you get the right one for your uses.
Powered industrial trucks are inherently dangerous, no matter what class they are in. Every year, nearly 100 operators lose their lives as the result of an accident at work, while more than 30,000 end up in the emergency room before they get a chance to clock off for the day. Because of the specific nature of most of these accidents, experts have concluded that most, if not all, could have been prevented had the operator been properly trained and certified. Many fatalities are caused by people being crushed under their fork lift as they jump off while it is tipping over. Many other fatalities and serious injuries occur when pedestrians are hit by lift trucks.
Fork trucks are classified according to whether they are powered by an internal combustion engine or by a battery. Non-electric powered trucks may use gasoline, diesel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Powered industrial trucks are further classified according to the type of tire they have, whether solid or pneumatic. Each one is particularly suited to a specific environment.
Class I forktrucks are powered by electricity and the operator sits on the vehicle. As they do not produce noxious fumes as do internal combustion engines, Class I trucks are used where ventilation cannot support the use of gas-powered vehicles. These trucks may use either solid or pneumatic tires.
Class II forktrucks have incorporated design features that make them suitable for situations where the aisles are narrow. Because they are powered by electricity, they are also useful where air quality and noise levels need to be considered.
Electricity-driven fork trucks where the operator walks beside the vehicle, as if walking a bicycle, are known as Class III. They are referred to as hand/rider or electric motor hand trucks. The tiller, which contains all of the controls, is mounted at the side of the vehicle.
Class IV forktrucks are powered by an internal combustion engine and use solid (cushion) wheels. These are used on dry, smooth floors to move materials between the loading dock and the storage area. Lower to the ground than trucks with pneumatic tires, these lifts are useful in low-clearance environments.
Class V lifttrucks have the option of using compressed natural gas as a fuel, as well as LPG, gasoline or diesel. These are the most versatile of all the classes of lift truck and are consequently the most common. Class VI lifts are used in rough terrain.
Powered industrial trucks are inherently dangerous, no matter what class they are in. Every year, nearly 100 operators lose their lives as the result of an accident at work, while more than 30,000 end up in the emergency room before they get a chance to clock off for the day. Because of the specific nature of most of these accidents, experts have concluded that most, if not all, could have been prevented had the operator been properly trained and certified. Many fatalities are caused by people being crushed under their fork lift as they jump off while it is tipping over. Many other fatalities and serious injuries occur when pedestrians are hit by lift trucks.
Fork trucks are classified according to whether they are powered by an internal combustion engine or by a battery. Non-electric powered trucks may use gasoline, diesel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Powered industrial trucks are further classified according to the type of tire they have, whether solid or pneumatic. Each one is particularly suited to a specific environment.
Class I forktrucks are powered by electricity and the operator sits on the vehicle. As they do not produce noxious fumes as do internal combustion engines, Class I trucks are used where ventilation cannot support the use of gas-powered vehicles. These trucks may use either solid or pneumatic tires.
Class II forktrucks have incorporated design features that make them suitable for situations where the aisles are narrow. Because they are powered by electricity, they are also useful where air quality and noise levels need to be considered.
Electricity-driven fork trucks where the operator walks beside the vehicle, as if walking a bicycle, are known as Class III. They are referred to as hand/rider or electric motor hand trucks. The tiller, which contains all of the controls, is mounted at the side of the vehicle.
Class IV forktrucks are powered by an internal combustion engine and use solid (cushion) wheels. These are used on dry, smooth floors to move materials between the loading dock and the storage area. Lower to the ground than trucks with pneumatic tires, these lifts are useful in low-clearance environments.
Class V lifttrucks have the option of using compressed natural gas as a fuel, as well as LPG, gasoline or diesel. These are the most versatile of all the classes of lift truck and are consequently the most common. Class VI lifts are used in rough terrain.
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