Lift trucks have gone through a major change since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the world.
The first forklifts roughly 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized equipment that were just capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really advanced units are offered in the marketplace. These models are available in different weight capacities, various designs and many lifting heights. Furthermore, these machines come with a range of ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could greatly add to the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the wide range of forklifts available these days are the tires which move the equipment and the forks which are used to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks used in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: Electric forklift units and Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight situated in the machine's back is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts would usually have lifting heights of roughly 16 feet, or 189 inches. Also, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like for example lights.
The lift truck market is now divided into about 60% electric units, with 40 percent IC units. Every kind of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to complete a lot of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the equipment outside or inside and what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing as well as what kind of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you would choose.