company news about The 7 Forklift Classifications

There are seven classes of forklift truck equipment. A forklift operator must be certified to use each class of truck that they will operate. Classification depends on applications, fuel options, and features of each forklift truck equipment. Knowing the difference can help you fit the right types of fork trucks to your specific needs.

The following are 7 different types of forklift classes commonly used. This classification does not include all the types of fork trucks covered by the OSHA standard [29 CFR 1910.178(a), 29 CFR 1910.178(b) and 29 CFR 1910.178(c)].

Class I – Electric Motor Rider Trucks

Lift Code 1: Counterbalanced Rider Type, Stand up
Lift Code 4: Three Wheel Electric Trucks, Sit Down
Lift Code 5: Counterbalanced Rider, Cushion Tires, Sit Down
Lift Code 6: Counterbalanced Rider, Pneumatic or Either Type Tire, Sit Down

Class II – Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks

Lift Code 1: High Lift Straddle
Lift Code 2: Order Picker
Lift Code 3: Reach Type Outrigger
Lift Code 4: Side Loaders: Platforms
Lift Code 4: Side Loaders: High Lift Pallet
Lift Code 4: Turret Trucks
Lift Code 6: Low Lift Platform
Lift Code 6: Low Lift Pallet

Class III – Electric Motor Hand Trucks or Hand/Rider Trucks

Lift Code 1: Low Lift Platform
Lift Code 2: Low Lift Walkie Pallet
Lift Code 3: Tractors
Lift Code 4: Low Lift Walkie/Center Control
Lift Code 5: Reach Type Outrigger
Lift Code 6: High Lift Straddle
Lift Code 6: Single Face Pallet
Lift Code 6: High Lift Platform
Lift Code 7: High Lift Counterbalanced
Lift Code 8: Low Lift Walkie/Rider Pallet and End Control

Class IV – Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Solid/Cushion Tires)

Lift Code 3: Fork, Counterbalanced (Cushion Tire)

Class V – Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)

Lift Code 4: Fork, Counterbalanced (Pneumatic Tires)

Class VI – Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors

Lift Code 1: Sit-Down Rider (Draw Bar Pull Over 999 lbs.)

Class VII – Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

Rough terrain forklift is a generic term used to describe forklifts typically intended for use on unimproved natural terrain and disturbed terrain construction sites. However, the term “rough terrain” does not imply that the forklift can be safely operated on every conceivable type of terrain.

Vertical Mast – Ruggedly constructed forklift and is designed to be used primarily outdoors.
Variable Reach – Vehicle equipped with a telescoping boom, which enables it to pick and place loads at various distances and lift heights in front of the machine. The ability to reach out in front of the forklift allows the operator flexibility in the placement of a load.
Truck/Trailer Mounted – Portable self-propelled rough terrain forklift that is typically transported to the job site. It is mounted on a carrier to the back of a truck/trailer and is used to unload heavy items from the truck/trailer at the job site. Not that not all truck/trailer mounted forklifts are rough terrain forklifts.