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About Classes

There are hundreds of models of forklifts offered by the twenty most frequently sold brands in the United States. The lift truck manufacturers and their suppliers formed the Industrial Truck Association in 1951in part to agree on a common classification of forklifts as well as to collect statistics on the industry. The ITA has divided all manufactured forklifts in to one of five classes of product.

Class I – Electric Sit Down Rider

This class is powered by 24v, 36, 48v or 80v batteries. The products in this class include:

Class II – Narrow Aisle

This class is powered by 24v, 36 or 48v batteries. The products in this class include both narrow ailse (6 ft – 8ft wide aisles) and very narrow aisles (less than 6 feet wide aisles):

Class III – Walkie Riders

This class is powered by 24v, 36 or 48v batteries. The products in this class include are motorized pallet trucks which are the electric heavy duty version of the manual pallet jack. They typically are offered in walk behind (walkies) or stand-on (rider) versions.

Class IV – Warehouse Cushions

This class is powered by internal combustion engines, most frequently LP Gas. They are typically equipped with cushion tires which are solid tires generally with no tread pattern (though tread patterns are available) designed for use indoors on smooth solid surfaces.

Class V – Yard Pneumatics

This class is powered by internal combustion engines including LP Gas, gasoline, dual fuel and diesel. They are equipped with pneumatic tires which require air and are designed for use outdoors on uneven and loose surfaces. Pneumatic tire trucks typically have higher ground clearance. Equipment Depot represents a variety of forklift manufacturers. Each manufacturer offers a range of ITA class lift trucks with varying power sources and capacities.