Ever since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge change. Today, these high tech machines are much smarter and stronger. These types of machinery have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all around the world.
The first forklifts about 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized equipment that were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very advanced units are available in the marketplace. These models are available in different weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these types of vehicles are offered with a variety of ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible could greatly increase the overall productivity attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features which are on the wide range of lift trucks available these days are the tires that move the machinery and the forks that are utilized to raise loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks used in warehousing applications, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: IC or Internal Combustion units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: 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 lift truck is the most common type of forklift. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight located in the equipment's back is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would normally have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these models could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come equipped with backup alarms and other safety features such as lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric units and approximately 40% percent are IC units. Each kind of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be using the machinery outdoors or inside and what specific types of cargo you will be utilizing as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the type of forklift which you would choose.