# Seven Classes of Forklifts Defined by the Industrial Truck Association

Industrial Truck Association's Forklift Classifications The seven classes of forklifts defined by the Industrial Truck Association are defined by engine type, operating environment, operator position, and equipment characteristics. Forklift classes include: Class I: Electric forklifts, equipped with pneumatic tires or cushion tires; Class II: Narrow aisle electric forklifts, equipped with solid tires; Class III: Electric manual forklifts/manual forklifts, equipped with solid tires; Class IV: Internal combustion sit-down forklifts, equipped with cushion tires, suitable for hard surfaces and indoor operation; Class V: Internal combustion sit-down forklifts, equipped with pneumatic tires, suitable for outdoor use on rough surfaces; Class VI: Electric or internal combustion driven stand-up forklifts, capable of towing (rather than lifting) at least 1,000 pounds of material, not used for material lifting; Class VII: Rough terrain forklifts generally equipped only with diesel engines and pneumatic tires, suitable for rugged terrain and outdoor use. Since Class I through Class V forklifts are primarily suitable for indoor material handling applications, MMH Modern Materials Handling magazine only included statistics for these types of forklifts in its supplier ranking tables.