What is a Forklift?

A forklift is an industrial handling vehicle designed for loading, unloading, stacking, and short-distance transportation of palletized goods. It is classified as an industrial vehicle by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/TC110). Commonly used for transporting large objects in warehouses, forklifts are typically powered by fuel engines or batteries.

The North American Industrial Truck Association (ITA) categorizes forklifts into seven classes based on power type, working environment, operator position, and equipment characteristics.

Class I: Electric Motor Rider Trucks - Suitable for indoor use and low-clearance tasks.

Class II: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks - Ideal for tight spaces and narrow aisles.

Class III: Electric Motor Hand or Hand/Rider Trucks - Used for manual operation in warehouses.

Class IV: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid/Cushion Tires)- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use on smooth surfaces.

Class V: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires) - Suitable for indoor and outdoor use on smooth surfaces.

Class VI: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors - Used for towing and transporting materials.

Class VII: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks - Designed for outdoor use on uneven surfaces.

Class I: Electric Motor Rider Trucks

Electric Motor Rider Trucks is primarily an electric counterbalance forklift, powered by either lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries, with a typical load capacity of up to 5 tons. However, with advancements in lithium battery technology, models with a maximum load capacity of 10 tons are now available on the market.

This type of forklift produces minimal pollution and low noise, making it ideal for indoor operations and other environments with stringent requirements, such as the pharmaceutical and food industries.

                              Four-Wheel Electric Forklifts (4-point stability)                                                Three-Wheel Electric Forklifts (3-point stability)

Class II: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks

This type of forklift primarily uses batteries as its power source and retains lifting and transport capabilities. The key difference from counterbalance forklifts is the absence of a counterweight, resulting in a typical load capacity below 3 tons. Due to its compact design, agile maneuverability, lightweight construction, and eco-friendly performance, this forklift is widely used in warehousing and logistics operations.

Generally speaking, electric pallet trucks, order pickers, reach trucks, pallet stackers, turret trucks, articulated forklifts and side loaders all fall under this category.

                Electric pallet jacks                                                                             Order pickers                                                                Reach trucks

Pallet stackers                                                                                  Turret trucks                                                                 Articulated forklifts

Side loaders

Class III: Electric Motor Hand or Hand/Rider Trucks

Class II forklifts require operators to drive or operate from inside the vehicle, while Class III forklifts are designed for operation where the driver does not ride inside the vehicle.

These compact vehicles primarily replace non-powered hand trucks for material handling, loading, and unloading operations.

                                     Electric pallet jacks                                                                                                                   Walkie stackers

Class IV & Class V Forklifts (Internal Combustion Counterbalance Forklifts)

Power Types: Gasoline, diesel, or natural gas engines.

Application: Designed for outdoor, workshop, or other environments without strict exhaust/noise restrictions, ideal for material handling or short-distance transport on flat surfaces.

Key Difference:

Class IV: Cushion tires (for smooth indoor/outdoor surfaces)

Class V: Pneumatic tires (for rough outdoor terrain)

Subcategories:

Standard IC Forklifts (Load capacity: 0–10 tons)

Heavy-Duty Forklifts (Load capacity: >10 tons)

Dual-Fuel Forklifts (e.g., gas/LPG switchable)

Container Handlers (Specialized for port/ISO container operations)

                                                           Standard IC Forklifts                                                                                                                                    Heavy-Duty Forklifts

                                                              Dual-Fuel Forklifts（LPG）                                                                      Container Handlers

Class VI: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors 

Class VI trucks are a special type of industrial truck. They are not forklifts but instead are tractors designed for pulling loads. They featured either a battery/motor or internal combustion engine powered by gasoline, LPG, or diesel.

                              Lithium-Powered Tow Tractor                                                                             Internal Combustion Engine Tractor

Class VII: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

Features:

• Exceptional off-road capability and terrain adaptability

• Designed for complex topography and harsh environments

• Rugged construction with enhanced ground clearance

Applications:

Outdoor operations (construction sites, lumber yards, etc.)

These differ from standard industrial forklifts with:

• All-terrain tires or tracks

• 4WD or 2WD systems

• Higher torque powertrains

                                                               Diesel 4WD Rough Terrain Lift Trucks                                                           Telescopic handler

These are all the types and classifications of forklifts.