Kinds of Warehouse Forklifts
Forklifts are multi-purpose machinery which can be utilized outdoors and indoors. They can function on rough terrain and are a common piece of industrial equipment found inside warehouses or on construction sites. Any warehouse forklift normally just needs to be utilized on surfaces which are flat for most of their work scopes.
There are various classes of forklifts. Lower classes of forklifts are utilized inside warehouses and higher classes are considered to be sturdier and utilized more often in outdoor applications.
Classes of Forklifts
There are 4 kinds of warehouse forklift types amongst the 7 forklift classes. The classes 5 to 7 usually describe forklifts which operate outside on rough surfaces or are utilized to tow heavy loads. Classes 1 to 3 are great for indoor use as they use electric propulsion. Class 4 forklifts depend on internal combustion engine. These models could be used indoors but due to the fumes they create, are suitable for open air warehouse applications. You would seldom find these models in strictly indoor environments.
Class One Forklifts
Class 1 forklifts can be divided into 4 subcategories or lift codes. The lift codes are described as one, four, five and six. The forklift operator stands up in a lift code 1 forklift. In lift codes 4 through 6, he sits down. In order to differentiate between the latter three, lift code 4 forklifts have 3 wheels, whereas lift code 5 forklifts have cushion tires. Lift code 6 forklifts have pneumatic tires.
Narrow aisle forklifts are a term for class 2 forklifts. These kinds of forklifts are operated by a standing rider and utilized in tight spaces. They are great for spaces that are very small for a sit-down rider forklift. Electric hand trucks or class 3 forklifts could also fit into tighter spaces. The operator for class 3 either stands or walks behind the machine, depending on the specific type of forklift. Lift models could raise loads and pallets a few feet off of the ground.
Electrical Forklifts
Most commonly, electrical forklifts are used in warehouses rather than internal combustion or IC engine forklifts. There are advantages and disadvantages to using electrical models. For start, they are environmentally friendly and could last longer. They are less expensive to operate and cut down significantly on noise pollution. On the downside, they are more expensive up front, do not function well outdoors in bad weather and most models need charging every 6 hours. For obvious reasons, electrical-powered forklifts are a great option for warehouses and indoor areas most of the time.