Lift trucks have gone through a major change ever since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the world.
Initially, during their launch about 100 years ago, forklifts were really simple pieces of motorized equipment designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely advanced units are offered in the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. In addition, these equipments are available with various ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could really add to the overall production attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on the majority of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machine to move around and the forks could carry and lift loads. The basic design and application of different types of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing applications is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: IC or Internal Combustion units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common type of forklift. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced kind. A weight situated in the machine's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will normally have lifting heights of roughly 16 feet, or 189 inches. In addition, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available with backup alarms and other safety features such as lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric units and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Every type of forklift has a specific place and is best to complete a lot of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or indoors and what particular types of loads you will be using as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the kind of lift truck that you will pick.