Forklifts come in many varieties, each designed for specific applications. Understanding the different kinds of forklifts helps you choose the right machine for your operation. This guide covers the main classifications based on power source, tire type, and application.
1. By Power Source
Type Fuel/Power Best For Key Feature
Electric Forklifts Battery (lead-acid or lithium-ion) Indoor warehouses, clean environments Zero emissions, quiet operation, lower maintenance
Internal Combustion (LPG/Propane) Liquefied petroleum gas Indoor/outdoor mixed use Quick refueling, powerful, works in ventilation
Internal Combustion (Diesel) Diesel fuel Outdoor, rough terrain High torque, fuel-efficient for heavy loads
Internal Combustion (Gasoline) Gasoline Light outdoor use Less common, lower cost
Dual-Fuel LPG + gasoline or LPG + diesel Versatile operations Flexibility to switch fuels
2. By Tire Type
Type Tire Construction Surface Typical Use
Cushion Tire Solid rubber, press-on Smooth indoor floors (concrete, asphalt) Warehouses, manufacturing plants
Pneumatic Tire Air-filled, with tread Rough, uneven, or outdoor surfaces Construction sites, lumber yards, gravel lots
Solid Pneumatic Solid rubber, no air Puncture-prone environments Scrap yards, recycling centers
3. By Application / Design (Common Kinds)
Counterbalance Forklift – The most common type, with forks in front and a counterweight at the rear. Available in electric, LPG, diesel.
Reach Truck – Designed for narrow aisles (Class II). Forks extend outward to reach into racking. Lift heights up to 40+ ft.
Order Picker – Operator platform rises with the forks for manual picking of individual items at height. Ideal for piece-picking warehouses.
Turret Truck / Swing-Reach – Very narrow aisle (VNA) machines with forks that rotate 180° to pick from both sides without turning the truck. Aisle widths as tight as 5–6 ft.
Pallet Jack / Pallet Truck – Low-lift machine for horizontal movement of pallets. Available as manual (walkie) or electric (walkie/rider).
Walkie Stacker – Electric stacker for low-level stacking (up to ~15 ft). Operator walks behind.
Rough Terrain Forklift – Large pneumatic tires, high ground clearance, for construction and agricultural sites. Often with telescopic boom (telehandler).
Telehandler – Telescopic boom with forks or attachments. Combines forklift and crane functions. High reach and forward reach.
Side Loader – Forks mounted on the side, ideal for handling long loads (timber, pipes, steel) in narrow aisles.
Multi-Directional Forklift – Like Combilift, can move forward, sideways, and diagonally. Handles long loads and tight spaces.
Container Handler – Heavy-duty forklift for stacking shipping containers at ports and rail yards. Capacities up to 40+ tons.
Tow Tractor / Tugger – Designed to pull carts or trailers rather than lift loads. Used in airports, assembly lines.
4. OSHA Classifications (Seven Kinds)
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) classifies powered industrial trucks into seven classes:
Class Name Examples
Class I Electric motor rider trucks Counterbalanced sit-down and stand-up electric forklifts
Class II Electric motor narrow aisle trucks Reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks
Class III Electric motor hand/rider trucks Pallet jacks, walkie stackers
Class IV Internal combustion trucks (cushion tires) LPG/diesel forklifts with solid tires for indoor use
Class V Internal combustion trucks (pneumatic tires) LPG/diesel forklifts with air-filled tires for outdoor/rough use
Class VI Electric and IC engine tractors Tow tractors, tuggers
Class VII Rough terrain forklifts Telehandlers, construction forklifts
In short, the main kinds of forklift include electric vs. IC, cushion vs. pneumatic, and application-specific types like reach trucks, order pickers, telehandlers, and container handlers. OSHA further groups them into seven classes based on power, tire, and use case. Choosing the right kind depends on your load weight, lift height, aisle width, floor surface, and operating environment.