Ever since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the globe.
Initially, during their introduction roughly 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized equipment made to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. In addition, these equipments are offered with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can really increase the overall production attained during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features which are on the huge variety of forklifts available these days are the tires which move the machinery and the forks that are utilized to pick up loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of forklifts used in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric lift truck models and IC or Internal Combustion models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the lift truck. A weight situated in the rear of this machinery 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 approximately 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. In addition, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and other safety features such as lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and around 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each and every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outside or indoors and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of cargo you would be using determines the kind of forklift that you would select.