Forklift  Trucks Forklift trucks (fig. 2-9) are vehicles designed to pick up and carry unit loads of materials. The types of forklift trucks commonly used by the AKs are discussed in the following paragraphs. COUNTERBALANCED  TRUCKS.—  TMS  type of truck (fig. 2-9) carries the pallet load straight in front on permanently aligned forks. These trucks must turn at right angles to place the material in storage. They require  wide  aisles  and  substantial  floor  capacity.  They are available in electric or internal combustion models. NARROW-AISLE TRUCKS.—  These  trucks  are in three categories; the straddle, reach, and side-loading truck (figure 2-9). In straddle trucks, the load is carried between the front outrigger wheels to minimize the need for  counterbalancing.  Straddle  forklift  trucks  are  also known as tiering trucks. The reach truck is a variation of straddle or tiering truck. It is commonly used in shore  activities.  It  is  more  maneuverable  than  the standard forklift trucks and can generally operate in narrow  aisles. Side-loading trucks normally operate to one side of the aisle and place the load laterally. These trucks come in various designs. Some travel along the length of the aisles  with  permanently  located  masts,  equipped  with  a reach device to move the forks out from the side. Some types have moving masts that add to the extension capability and permit double placement of the load. Other types have a rotating or swing mast that can reach out to the side. These types of trucks are also known as front/side  loaders. Dollies A dolly is a small, low platform load carrier that is generally equipped with rollers, casters, or wheels. Dollies  are  hand  propelled  (do  not  have  handles)  and are  used  for  low-volume  moves  over  short  distances. Hand Trucks The types of hand trucks are the two-wheel and four- or six- wheel platform. TWO-WHEEL HAND TRUCKS.—  Two-wheel hand  trucks  are  designed  for  tilt  and  carry  operation. They are generally used for moving small volume and lightweight items over variable paths and limited space. HANDLIFT TRUCK, MK 45.— This is a special type  of  hand  truck  that  is  used  for  lifting  and maneuvering  long  heavy  containers.  They  are  used  in pairs  with  one  truck  positioned  at  each  end  of  the container.  The  AKs  may  use  this  type  of  truck  for moving  some  types  of  aircraft  engine  containers  such as an F404 engine container. This truck consists of an aluminum body, a tow bar, and a lift mechanism It is equipped with two wheels and polyurethane tires. The lift mechanism includes a lift arm and a mounting pin for engaging the load. The lift mechanism is manually operated by a reversible ratchet wrench to raise or lower the  lift  arm  assembly.  (See  figure  2-10  for  an illustration of handlift truck, Mk 45.) When used on board  ship,  this  equipment  is  usually  under  the inventory responsibility of the weapons department. FOUR-WHEEL  HAND  TRUCKS.—   The four-wheel  hand  trucks  are  rectangular  load-carrying platforms fitted with a handle at one or both ends. Some types  are  equipped  with  two  swivel  casters  located  at the comers of the platform. Other models have two large wheels centered on the sides and two smaller wheels  centered  on  the  ends.  The  four-wheel  hand trucks are used for moving low volume and light loads for  short  distances. OPERATORS OF MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT  (MHE) This chapter provides only the basic information needed to supervise and guide the MHE operators. Consult your local and higher echelon directives and procedures   concerning   licensing   and   safety requirements. In this chapter, the MHE refers to a forklift  truck. To qualify as an MHE operator, each person is required-to meet some specific include  the  vision,  hearing, requirements. These and  reaction  tests. Figure 2-10.—Handlift truck, Mk 45. 2-27