Forklifts/Telehandlers in Feed

Counterbalance Forklifts – The most common, with forks at the front.

Reach Trucks – Designed for warehouses with narrow aisles and tall racks.

Pallet Jacks / Walkie Stackers – Compact and ideal for moving pallets short distances.

A Tier forklift refers to emission standards (EPA Tier 1–4). Tier 4 forklifts meet the strictest standards, producing lower emissions with advanced engines or filters.

Type A typically refers to electric forklifts (Class 1). They are battery-powered, quiet, and emission-free, best for indoor use.

Electric Motor Rider Trucks (Class 1–3)
Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Class 4–5)
Specialty Trucks (Class 6–7) like rough terrain and telehandlers.

A Class 3 forklift is an electric pallet jack or walkie truck. Operator-walked or standing, great for loading docks and warehouses.

Forklifts are used to lift, move, and stack materials in warehouses, construction sites, ports, and retail centers safely and efficiently.

• Wear seatbelts and PPE.
• Check load capacity before lifting.
• Perform daily inspections.
• Drive at safe speeds.
• Keep forks low while moving.

The “Rule of 3” refers to three-point contact (two hands + one foot, or two feet + one hand) when mounting/dismounting.

The counterbalance forklift (Class 4 & 5) is the most widely used globally.

• Load balancing awareness
• Spatial awareness in aisles
• Safe ramp/terrain maneuvering
• Basic mechanical inspection knowledge

Toyota (most popular worldwide)
Crown (excellent electric models)
Hyster-Yale (durability)
Komatsu, Mitsubishi, Doosan (trusted globally)

Toyota and Hyster are widely used for warehouses and construction.

Electric pallet jacks (Class 3) are cheapest.
For long-term indoor use, electric forklifts save fuel costs.
Diesel is costlier but best for heavy outdoor jobs.

Toyota Material Handling is the global leader in forklift sales and innovation.

• Indoor → Electric
• Outdoor → Diesel or propane
• Narrow aisles → Reach trucks
• Rough terrain → Telehandlers

Kalmar, Hyster, Toyota high-capacity port forklifts can exceed $500,000.

There are 7 classes:
1. Electric Motor Rider Trucks
2. Narrow Aisle Trucks
3. Hand-Rider (pallet jacks)
4. IC Trucks – Cushion Tires
5. IC Trucks – Pneumatic Tires
6. Tow Tractors
7. Rough Terrain Forklifts

An IC truck with pneumatic tires, built for outdoor uneven surfaces.

Lift truck, Tow motor, Hi-lo, Jitney, Powered industrial truck

There are 7 classes, classified by power source, tires, and application.

Canada recognizes the 7 forklift classes under CSA B335-15 training standards.

A Class 4 forklift has cushion tires and an IC engine. Best for smooth indoor warehouse/factory surfaces.

A telehandler is a versatile lifting machine with a telescopic boom that extends forward and upward. It combines forklift, crane, and boom lift features.

Forklift: Lifts palletized loads vertically.

Telehandler: Offers forward reach and height flexibility, can place loads on rooftops or across obstacles.

Also called zoom boom, telescopic forklift, or rough-terrain forklift.

Lifts, moves, and places materials at extended reach. With attachments (buckets, winches, hooks), it can also dig, load, and perform crane-like tasks.

Not exactly — but with attachments, it can perform crane-like lifting functions.

Because of its telescopic boom that extends/retracts like a telescope.

Yes. JCB is a leading manufacturer of telehandlers, and the name is often used generically.

Yes, with pallet forks, it works like a forklift but with greater reach and rough terrain handling.

Yes. Telehandlers are Class 7 Rough Terrain Forklifts under OSHA/CSA.

Yes. In Canada, you need Class 7 forklift certification including load charts, stability, and safety training.

Yes, but only high-capacity telehandlers with container attachments are safe for that load.

Up to 12,000 lbs, depending on height and reach.

Heavy-duty models can lift up to 20,000 lbs, depending on boom extension.

A 5K model can lift 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) — common on smaller job sites.

A 40ft container’s max gross weight is 67,200 lbs. Only specialized handlers/telehandlers can move them safely.

Reach stackers, container handlers, or high-capacity telehandlers with the right attachments.

It’s another name for a telehandler, highlighting the “zooming” telescopic boom.

Yes. A zoom boom is a telehandler, so you need Class 7 certification in Canada.

Yes — zoom boom is simply another name for telehandler.

Yes. It falls under Class 7 forklift, though far more versatile than standard forklifts.