Forklifts have gone through a major evolution since their introduction to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. These kinds of machines have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the world.
The initial lift trucks roughly 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machines that were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very advanced units are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in a huge variety of weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Furthermore, these types of vehicles are offered with a range of ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can really increase the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the huge array of forklifts available nowadays are the tires which move the machine and the forks that are utilized to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing applications is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Internal Combustion or IC models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: 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 sit-down counterbalanced kind of the lift truck. A weight found in the rear of this machinery 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 approximately 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Furthermore, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and different other types of safety features such as lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric units and about 40% percent are internal combustion models. Each kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete lots of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machinery outdoors or indoors and what particular types of loads you will be utilizing as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you would pick.