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What are the Forklift Categories?

Did you know there is more than one type of Forklift Truck? And each type of Forklift Truck has multiple various categories?

Here is a list of the types of Forklift Truck recognised by The Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) their categories, purpose, and engine type.

Each category for Forklift Truck has a different purpose in the workplace and they each require a separate operator certificate.

You will need to receive formal training from a trained forklift instructor before using each category.

It is therefore important that you correctly identify which category suits your purpose and book the correct course for your needs.

The Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) have identified 7 categories of Pallet Trucks and Pallet Stackers that are used in the UK.

These are:

Category A1

These are low lift platform and low lift order picking trucks. And can be pedestrian or ride-on operated. They are also electric powered.

Category A2

These trucks are the Rider only version of the A1 Truck, these are also Electric powered.

Category A3

The A3 is a pedestrian operated counterbalance truck and can be Low/Eye and High-level lift heights. The A3 is electric powered.

Category A4

The A4 is a rider operated Pallet Stacker. With Low/Eye or High-level lift heights. These are also electric powered.

Category A5

The A5 Pallet Stacker is the Pedestrian operated version of the A4.

Category A6

The A6 Pedestrian Straddle Truck comes with Low/Eye and High-level lift capabilities and is electric powered.

Category A7

The A7 Pedestrian Reach Truck is a pedestrian operated. It has Low/Eye and High-level lift heights and is electric powered.

The Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) have identified 5 categories of Counterbalance Forklift Trucks that are in use in the UK.

These are:

Category B1

Are a small Counterbalance Lift Truck, which has a lift capacity up to and including 5000kg. These can be Electric/ LPG or Diesel powered.

Category B2

Are a medium Counterbalance Lift Truck, these have the capacity to lift over 5000kg and up to 15000kg. These are also Electric/LPG and Diesel.

Category B3

These are the Large Counterbalance Lift Trucks and have the capacity to lift over 15000kg. These trucks are Diesel and Electric powered.

Category B4

These Counterbalance Lift Trucks are Stand-On Trucks that can lift up to 5000kg. These are Electric powered.

The ABA has identified 3 types of Side loaders used in the UK; these are:

Category C1 & C2

These types of trucks are called Side-Loaders. The C1 trucks are rider operated and have lift capabilities of up to and including 5000kg The C2 trucks are rider operated and can lift up to and including 15000kg. Both are Electric or Fuel

Category C3

These Side-Loaders are also rider operated and can lift over 15000kg. These can be Electric or Fuel

The ABA has identified 3 types of Reach trucks used in the UK; these are:

Category D1 & D2

These trucks are called Reach & Straddle trucks. The D1 can reach heights between 3-8 meters. And the D2 can reach over 8m, they are both rider operated, and electric.

Category D3

Category D3 is the Stand on reach truck, these are Rider operated and Electric.

The ABA has identified 2 types of Order picking trucks used in the UK; these are:

Category E1

Category E1 is the Rider operated medium lift Order picking truck, these can reach up to 3m. They are also Electric.

Category E2

Category E2 is the Rider operated High lift order picker truck and can reach heights of over 3m. These also run on Electric.

The ABA has identified 2 types of Man down & Man up Stacking trucks used in the UK, these are:

Category F1

Category F1 is the Man up (Operator Up) Stacking truck. These trucks are used in very narrow aisles and are Rider operated and are Electric powered.

Category F2

Category F2 is the Man down (Operator down) Stacking truck. As with the F1 the F2 is also used in very narrow aisles and is Rider operated and are Electric powered.

The ABA has identified 5 types of Container Handler used in the UK; these are:

Category G1

The Category G1 is the Container Straddle trucks, they are Rider operated and Fuel powered.

Category G2

Category G2 is the Counterbalance Container handling truck. These are Rider operated and are Fuel powered.

Category G3

Category G3 is the Side-loader container handling truck. Rider operated and Fuel powered.

Category G4

Category G4 is the Telescopic container handler truck. Rider operated and Fuel powered.

Category G5

Category G5 is the Rough Terrain Telescopic container handler truck. Rider operated and Fuel powered.

The ABA has identified 3 types of Tow Tractors & Trailers used in the UK; these are:

Category H1

Category H1 is the Rider operated Tow Tractor & Trailer. These can be Electric or Fuel powered.

Category H2 & H3

Category H2 is the pedestrian operated Tow Tractor & Trailer. Electric & Fuel powered.

Category H3 is the same as the H2 but can tow over 15,000kg.

The ABA has identified 8 types of Telescopic handlers and Rough Terrain telescopic handlers used in the UK; these are:

Category J1

Category J1 These Lift Trucks are for Rough Terrain and can lift up to 15000kg These Lift Trucks are powered fuel and rider operated.

Category J2

Category J2 is the rough terrain variable reach lift truck, reaching up to 9m. They are rider operated and fuel powered.

Category J3

Category J3 is the same as the J2 but can reach above 9m. Rider operated, and Fuel powered.

Category J4

Category J4 is the Industrial variable lift truck, reaching up to 9m. Rider operated, and Fuel powered.

Category J5

Category J5 is the Rider operated industrial high lift telescopic truck, they can reach above 9m. They are also fuel powered.

Category J6 & J7

Category J6 is a variable reach/telescopic with a 360o slew and lifts up to 9m. Rider operated, and fuel powered.

Category J7 is the same as the J6 but can lift over 9m. Also, rider operated, and fuel powered.

Category J8

Category J8 is the articulated rough terrain telescopic lift truck. Rider operated and fuel powered.

The ABA has identified 3 types of Multi Directional (4 way) trucks used in the UK, these are:

Category M1

Category M1 is a multi-directional counterbalance lift truck. Rider operated and fuel powered.

Category M2

Category M2 is the Side loading version of the M1. Also, rider operated, and fuel powered.

Category M3

Category M3 is multi-directional reach truck. Rider operated and fuel powered.

The ABA has identified 2 types of Pivot Steer trucks used in the UK; these are:

Category P1

Category P1 is the Rider operated Pivot Steer truck. These are powered by Fuel or Electric.

Category P2

Category P2 is the Pedestrian operated pivot steer truck. These are powered by electric.

The ABA has identified 1 type of Vehicle mounted lift truck used in the UK, this is the

Category T1

The T1 is vehicle mounted lift truck that is rider operated and fuel powered.

The ABA has identified 4 types of manual and semi manual trucks used in the UK, these are:

Category Z1

Category Z1 is a pedestrian operated pallet truck.

Category Z2

Category Z2 is the pedestrian operated platform truck.

Category Z3

Category Z3 Is a pedestrian operated pallet stacker truck.

Category Z4

Category Z4 is a pedestrian operated straddle truck.

The ABA has identified 4 types of MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) used in the UK; these are:

Category 1A

Category 1A is a Static Vertical operator lift that is driven into position and cannot be driven while elevated. These are rider operated and Electric or fuel powered.

Category 1B

Category 1B is a Static Boom, Trailer mount, van mount, lorry mount and spider lift. These cannot drive elevated. Rider or pedestrian operated and powered by Electric or fuel.

Category 3A

Category 3A is a rider operated mobile vertical platform, which can be driven while elevated. These are electric or fuel powered.

Category 3B

Category 3B is the Mobile Boom, these can be driven elevated and are rider operated and are powered by electric or fuel.

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