When choosing the right material handling equipment for your operation, understanding the different forklift classifications is essential to maximizing efficiency and productivity.

A forklift is a powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials, but with so many varying forklift classes and subtle differences between models, it can be difficult to know where to begin your search. Generally, the industry recognizes 7 types of forklifts, which are officially categorized by the ITA into specific types based on engine, environment, and operator position.

While there are dozens of specialized sub-models, almost all warehouse vehicles fall into one of these seven common types of forklifts:

1. Electric Motor Rider Forklifts

 2. Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Forklifts 

 3. Electric Hand/Rider Pallet Jacks, Stackers, & Tow Tractors

 4. Internal Combustion Cushion Tire Forklifts

 5. Internal Combustion Pneumatic Tire Forklifts

 6. Electric & Internal Combustion Engine Tractors 

 7. Rough Terrain Forklifts 

A Class I forklift is an electric-motor rider truck. These electric-powered forklifts can be either stand-on or sit-down forklifts and can have 3 or 4 wheels. They are ideal for loading and unloading tractor-trailers, handling pallets, and navigating tight indoor spaces. Because they are powered by an electric battery (which also acts as counterweight), Class 1 forklifts are quiet and energy efficient, making them the standard choice for food storage, retail, and general indoor warehousing.

Popular Models:

• 3-Wheel Electric Forklift

• Core Electric Forklift

• Large Electric Forklift

• Stand-Up Rider Forklift

• 48V Electric Pneumatic Forklift

• 80V Electric Pneumatic Forklift 

Class II forklifts are electric narrow-aisle models specifically designed for maneuvering in tight spaces. This forklift type, which includes Reach Trucks and Order Pickers, is perfect for high-density inventory management, giving users the ability to increase vertical racking space without expanding their facility footprint.

Popular Models:

• Moving Mast Reach Truck

• Multidirectional Reach Truck

• High-Capacity Reach Truck

• Indoor-Outdoor Moving Mast Reach Truck

• Order Picker

• Furniture Order Picker

• High-Capacity Order Picker 

• Low Level Order Picker

Class III equipment includes electric pallet jacks, stackers, and tow tractors. This forklift classification comes in both rider and walk-behind (“walkie”) models, with an operator handle for steering and acceleration, perfect for unloading deliveries and moving loads to a staging area over short distances.

Popular Models:

• Electric Walkie Pallet Jack

• Large Electric Walkie Pallet Jack

• End-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack

• Tora-Max^® Electric Walkie Pallet Jack

• Tora-Max^® Compact Electric Walkie Pallet Jack

• Side-Entry End Rider

• Center-Controlled Rider Pallet Jack

• Enclosed End Rider Pallet Jack

• Tora-Max^® Walkie Stacker

• Tora-Max^® Straddle Stacker

• Counter-Balanced Stacker

• Walkie Straddle Stacker

• Walkie Reach Stacker

• Center Rider Stacker

• Core Tow Tractor

• Mid Tow Tractor

• Industrial Tow Tractor 

A Class IV forklift is a sit-down, internal combustion (IC) engine truck equipped with solid cushion tires. Operating on LP (liquid propane), diesel, or gasoline, these machines are incredibly powerful but are designed strictly for indoor use on smooth, flat surfaces like warehouse concrete.

Popular Models:

• Core IC Cushion Forklift

• Large IC Cushion Forklift

• Box Car Special Forklift

• Paper Roll Special Forklift 

Class IV Forklifts are internal combustion engine cushion tire trucks. This class of sit-down forklifts is designed for indoor use. Class IV Forklifts are powered by internal combustion (IC) engines that run on diesel fuel, LP gas, gasoline, or compressed natural gas. Their solid, cushioned tires provide a smooth ride on indoor surfaces and they’re puncture-proof since they are not air-filled.

Toyota offers Class IV models with lifting capacities ranging from 3,000 to 100,000 pounds. Click on each of the forklift models below to learn more about their individual features.

• Core IC Cushion

• Large IC Cushion

• Box Car Special

• Paper Roll Special

• High-Capacity IC Cushion

• High-Capacity Large IC Cushion

• High-Capacity Adjustable Wheelbase

Class V forklifts are highly similar to Class IV models, but they feature rugged, shock-absorbing pneumatic tires. These heavy-duty forklifts are designed primarily for outdoor use on uneven terrain, making them ideal for lumber yards, construction sites, and outdoor shipping lots. They are also available with LP (liquid propane), diesel, or gasoline.

Popular Models:

• Core IC Pneumatic Forklift

• Mid IC Pneumatic Forklift

• Large IC Pneumatic Forklift

• Core Diesel Pneumatic Forklift 

Class VI equipment includes electric and internal combustion engine tow tractors. These machines are most commonly used for towing heavy loads rather than lifting them vertically. Trucks in this class are ideal for use at airports and assembly line areas.

Popular Model:

• Large Tow Tractor

(Note: Class VII refers to Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks, which are specialized heavy-duty machines featuring large flotation tires for construction sites.)

Deciding whether an internal combustion or electric forklift is appropriate for your application can seem like a daunting task. Here is a quick comparison:

• Lower emissions
• Quieter operation
• No fuel-storage requirements (requires a charging station instead)
• Typically require less maintenance than IC forklifts
• Compatible with advanced lithium-ion batteries 

• Operate on liquid propane (LP), gas, or diesel
• Primarily used outdoors in various weather conditions
• No batteries to recharge (instant refueling)
• Exceptional power (Toyota’s IC line can lift over 125,000 lbs.)

A Class I forklift is an electric-motor rider truck, a sit-on or stand-on forklift. They utilize batteries that act as counterweights and are used primarily indoors due to their reduced emission operation.

A Class IV forklift uses an internal combustion engine but features smooth, solid cushion tires. This means it has the high power of a liquid propane/gas engine but is designed strictly for smooth indoor concrete surfaces.