By Leslie Ball


A forklift, or a powered industrial truck, as defined by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, is a vehicle used to transport, lift, carry, push, pull, tier, or stack materials. A PIT is also referred to as a pallet truck, rider truck, lift truck, lifttruck, or forktruck. The ASME has broken down the forklifts for sale in Dallas Fort Worth, TX, into six separate classes. Companies operating these vehicles need to know the classes so they can make the right purchasing decision for their situation.

Since 1999, employers have been held responsible for making sure that all of their forklift operators are trained and certified to OSHA standards. Almost 100 people are killed each year in PIT-related incidents. More than 30 thousand are seriously injured. Two of the most common causes of fatal accidents are the lift tipping over, crushing the rider, or colliding with a pedestrian. Between 20 and 40 percent of forklift fatalities can be prevented by proper training. OSHA does not kid around when issuing citations in violation of the training and certification rule. They are empowered to levy fines of $7,000 for any operator found not to have the necessary training. This can be increased to $70,000 where the violation has been willful. The rules apply to both permanent and temporary employees. Training should be forklift class-specific and also specific to the environment where the work will be carried out.

Forktrucks may be powered by an internal combustion engine running on LPG, diesel or gasoline. Other classes of lift truck have battery-operated electrical engines. Within these categories, pallet trucks are further classified based on whether they use pneumatic tires or solid (cushion). In general, pneumatic tires, i. E., the kind you put air in like automobile tires, function best on difficult or uneven surfaces. Cushion tires work better on smooth surfaces.

Classes I, II, and III are battery powered machines with electric motors. Class I are called electric motor ricer trucks. The rider sits inside the vehicle. Because electric motors are not prone to giving out poisonous fumes, this class of lift truck is often used in enclosed spaces where air quality is a safety issue. These vehicles may be equipped with either cushion (solid) or pneumatic tires.

Class II PITs, electric motor narrow aisle trucks, are designed for high-density, narrow-aisled warehouses or shop floors. They are used when air quality and conservation of space are important. They have special features that enable them to function optimally in conditions where the aisles are narrow.

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.

Classes IV, V, and VI are powered by LPG, diesel, or gasoline and have internal combustion engines. Class IV vehicles are equipped with solid, or cushion, wheels. Their main application is moving materials between the storage area and the loading dock. They are lower to the ground than vehicles with pneumatic tires and are suitable for low-clearance situations. They require smooth, dry surfaces.

Class V PITs use pneumatic tires and, like Class IV, are driven by internal combustion. Along with diesel, LPG, and gasoline-powered models, those that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) are also available. Class V are among the most common and most versatile lift trucks. Finally, Class VI forklifts are designed for use in rough terrain.




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