With many different kinds of forklifts on the market, understanding their classifications and common specialty models can help ensure you get the best machines to benefit your unique project needs.
This guide explores several common types of specialty forklifts and the environments where they thrive. The equipment experts at Burns Industrial Equipment can help you determine which models are right for your business.
7 Classes of Forklifts According to OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) categorizes forklifts into seven classifications. These groups are designated according to their design and uses. Explore more about each class below.
Class I Forklifts — Electric Motor Rider Trucks
This class includes forklift models powered by electric motors. These are typically available in stand-up or sit-down configurations.
Common Class I forklift types include 3- and 4-wheel counterbalance and stand-up rider models. They are especially useful for indoor applications like warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing.
Benefits of Class I forklifts include lower — or zero — emissions, maneuverability and quiet operation.
Class II Forklifts — Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks
The second classification includes electrically powered models. They are typically compact and suited for indoor use. Their smaller size makes them a convenient choice for navigating tight spaces and narrow aisles.
Class II forklifts include:
- Order pickers
- Side loaders
- Reach trucks
These forklifts have high lifting capabilities, making them ideal for applications like warehouses or retail storage.
Class III Forklifts — Electric Motor Hand Trucks
Class III forklift models can be manually operated. Some of these models involve both electrical and manual operation. These forklifts are best suited for lighter-duty tasks. Teams may use them in environments like retail stores or loading docks.
They are suitable for traveling shorter distances and are easy to operate. Common models include pallet jacks and stackers. This group is typically more compact and costs less than other classifications.
Class IV Forklifts — Internal Combustion Engine Trucks
This class includes forklifts powered by internal combustion engines that typically run on gasoline, diesel, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG).
These models are designed for indoor use and flat, smooth surfaces. They range from small to heavy-duty lift trucks. Typical applications include warehouses, distribution centers or manufacturing plants.
Class V Forklifts — Internal Combustion Engine Trucks
The fifth class includes models with internal combustion engines. These forklifts typically have pneumatic tires and good traction, making them well-suited for tougher outdoor applications. This category includes options often used when operators must navigate uneven terrain. Common applications include construction, agricultural settings or lumber yards. Whether teams need to lift or haul heavy materials, Class V forklifts are the go-to models for demanding outdoor tasks.
Class VI Forklifts — Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors
This class includes forklift models designed for towing loads. You will not typically leverage Class VI models for applications involving lifting loads to great heights. Instead, these options are best for efficiently hauling materials over longer distances for applications in environments like airports, large manufacturing plants or train stations. This classification is powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors, depending on the model.
Class VII Forklifts — Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks
The final class includes forklifts designed with massive pneumatic tires with great traction, specifically for navigating applications that involve especially difficult or rough terrain. These rugged models are typically powered by diesel engines and feature high ground clearance.
Like Class V, these forklifts are often used in lumberyards, construction and agricultural operations — the key difference is that these models are built for the most demanding and challenging outdoor jobs.
Common Types of Forklifts and Their Uses
Depending on your business and project requirements, different types of fork trucks will benefit your operations. Getting to know more about several popular options can help you determine which to invest in when filling gaps in your fleet or tackling your next project.
The following are a few specialty models and their key uses.
Very Narrow Aisle Trucks
Very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks are nearly always electrically powered, making them ideal for indoor spaces. Their compact design enables them to navigate confined areas. Most feature a side-loading configuration that makes picking up and depositing loads easier in high-density storage or warehousing facilities. These models typically fall into Class II or Class III.
Articulated and Swing Mast Forklifts
Articulated forklifts are useful for maneuvering around tight spaces, like warehouses or storage facilities, thanks to their pivoting frame and relatively compact size.
Swing mast forklifts can replace counterbalance and conventional reach trucks with their unique ability to rotate 90 degrees. They are highly useful for picking up loads in confined areas because they do not require the operator to turn the entire machine.
Articulated or swing mast models can fit into several OSHA classifications but are generally Class I or Class V.
Rough-Terrain Forklifts
Rough-terrain forklifts are uniquely suited for your toughest outdoor jobs. If you work in particularly challenging environments, these large models can help your operators stay safe as they navigate uneven or rugged terrain.
Most rough-terrain forklifts belong to Class VII and are designed for heavy-duty applications requiring significant power and stability.
Order Pickers
Order pickers are one of the most common types of warehouse forklifts. These models typically fall into Class III and are built for storage operations. They typically feature a platform that allows operators to travel with the load for easier access to items stored at varying heights.
Most order pickers are electric-powered and well-suited for warehouses and distribution centers that require picking and packing operations.
Reach Trucks
When you need a forklift that can reach especially high storage locations, reach trucks are a leading option. They are commonly used in warehouses with high pallet racking. Their forks can extend out and up, making picking up and handling loads at different heights more convenient. They are also relatively compact compared to other common specialty models, and most belong to Class II forklifts.
Container Handlers
Container handlers are a type of heavy-duty forklift suited for hauling shipping containers. These ßmodels are typically in Class V because of their large design and power requirements. If you work in ports, shipping yards or other facilities involving large volumes of shipping containers, a container handler is likely a must-have piece of equipment for your operations.
Get Specialty Forklift Models From Burns Industrial Equipment Today
Investing in the right forklift can help your team improve workplace productivity and efficiency. At Burns Industrial Equipment, we help customers throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio get the machines they need. We offer quality options, including specialty models from leading forklift brands, including Combilift, Mariotti, Bendi and Drexel.
Tight budget? We also offer used forklifts to fulfill your project needs while saving costs. Reach out to our team for additional details on our used inventory or explore the new forklifts available from Burns Industrial Equipment today.
