Since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge change. Today, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. These types of equipment have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the world.
At first, during their introduction about 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized equipment made to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated models are available in the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these vehicles are offered with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can greatly increase the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the wide array of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires that move the machine and the forks that are used to lift loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks used in manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and warehousing applications is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric forklift units as well as IC or Internal Combustion models.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down type of the forklift. A weight situated in the rear of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will usually have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
The forklift market is presently divided into around 60 percent electric units, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Every type of lift truck has a specific place and is best to complete lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be using the equipment outdoors or inside and what particular kinds of loads you would be using as well as what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on determines the type of forklift which you would choose.