Ever since their introduction in the material handling business during the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge change. Today, these machines are much smarter and stronger. They have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all around the world.
The first lift trucks roughly 100 years ago, started as really simple pieces of motorized equipment which were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very advanced units are offered in the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these types of machines are available with a range of ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could greatly add to the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the wide range of forklifts available these days are the tires which move the machine and the forks which are used to pick up loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks used in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as 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 found in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will typically have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Additionally, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and different other types of safety features like for instance lights.
The forklift market is presently divided into approximately 60% electric models, with 40 percent IC units. Every type of lift truck has a particular place and is best to complete lots of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be using the equipment outside or indoors and what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing determines the type of lift truck that you would pick.