Lift trucks have gone through a major change since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. These kinds of machinery have changed the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the globe.
Initially, during their launch roughly 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in a wide variety of weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these kinds of vehicles come with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could really add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features which are on the huge variety of forklifts available these days are the tires that move the equipment and the forks which are used to raise loads. The basic design and application of different types of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric lift truck models as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the lift truck. A weight found in the rear of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. What's more, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features like lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each type of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machinery outdoors or indoors and what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of cargo you would be utilizing determines the kind of forklift that you will select.