When at work, there’s nothing better than getting your job done efficiently.

While this can apply to all types of businesses, there are often tools you can use to streamline tasks. In some businesses, forklifts are useful in these situations.

Putting less strain on workers and giving them a tool to use for heavy lifting is a great way to improve efficiency. But which forklifts are best for your industry?

Read on to find out more about the different forklift types on the market and how they can work for you.

Forklift Types: What You Need to Know

Forklifts are commonly divided into classes. These classes have different types of forklifts depending on certain characteristics and purposes.

Here’s a little bit about each of the forklift classes.

Class I

Forklifts in Class I are electrically powered. You’ll find them used inside and they’re a popular choice in retail.

They have many different uses, but they’re a great addition to warehouses. They’re capable of turning sharp corners and of carrying large loads. This makes them the perfect choice for stores or warehouses who need to move lots of merchandise or food.

Class II

This class is also made up of electric-powered forklifts but they have different purposes.

Two great examples in this group are the order pickers and reach forklifts. They both have the same purpose, which is to grab things out of reach.

They are best used in situations where you have tall shelving for storage. This makes it easier to take things up and down off of them.

Another example of this class is the pivoting-mast forklift. It can rotate the mast to make turning easier.

Class III

Class III is an interesting one. It includes lifts that are electrically powered, or human-operated. Pallet jacks are part of this class as they can be operated manually or automatically.

This class is great for the grocery or retail industry. They’re capable of moving large pallets of merchandise that are transported. They can also be used for moving merchandise around or unloading deliveries.

Class IV

This class is all about the cushion tires. They’re a defining feature of the forklifts that are part of this group.

You’ll find these types of lifts indoors, and they have gas or diesel engines. They’re useful on loading docks and for unloading trucks at their destination. Another great feature of these forklifts is that they can have a large weight capacity.

Class V

While Class IV claims cushion tires, Class V is known for its pneumatic tires.

These are the types of forklifts you’ll find on a construction site or metal yard. They are great for transporting large objects and some are even capable of moving large containers.

Bonus: Class VII

The forklifts in this class are often found mounted on the back of trucks. They travel with the truck and do the loading/unloading at their destinations.

You might know them better as piggyback forklifts. These types of forklifts can also be installed on tractors. They’re used on farms for various tasks like lifting equipment or taking out hay.

What Forklift Types Are Right For You?

Forklifts are essential to many businesses. Whether you’re working with lumber or transporting food, they can make life much easier. Now that you know the different classes, you can choose the forklift types that suit your business best.

Are you looking to purchase a forklift? Check out our inventory to find the one that’s right for you!