Powered Industrial Truck Classifications

There are seven classes of powered industrial trucks, with the most common found in classes I, II, and III:

• Class I: Electric motor rider trucks. Examples include counterbalanced rider forklifts, both stand-up and sit-down types.
• Class II: Electric motor narrow aisle trucks. Examples include high lift straddle trucks and order pickers.
• Class III: Electric motor hand trucks or hand/rider trucks. Examples include low-lift and high-lift platform trucks, tractors, and high-lift counterbalanced trucks.
• Class IV: Internal combustion engine trucks (solid/cushion tires)
• Class V: Internal combustion engine trucks (pneumatic tires)
• Class VI: Electric and internal combustion engine tractors
• Class VII: Rough terrain forklift trucks

There are many types of forklifts and PITs; your workplace should provide training on the specific vehicle you will operate. Material in this course is generally applicable to all PITs unless specified.

To learn more about Forklift Safety visit our Forklift Safety Online Training web page.