Lift trucks have undergone a major change ever since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now much smarter and stronger. These types of equipment have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all around the world.
The initial forklifts around 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machinery which were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These models are available in a huge variety of weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Furthermore, these machines are offered with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can really increase the overall productivity attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machinery to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks used in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Electric forklift models and Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this particular class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the lift truck. A weight situated in the back of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric units and approximately 40% percent are IC models. Each and every type of forklift has a particular place and is suited to complete many different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outdoors or indoors and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you would be using determines the type of forklift which you will select.