Ever since their launch in the material handling industry in the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge change. These days, these machines are a lot stronger and smarter. These kinds of machinery have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all around the world.
Initially, during their launch around 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are offered in a huge range of weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these machinery are offered with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can really add to the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the huge range of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires that move the machine and the forks that are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks utilized in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the lift truck. A weight situated in the machine's rear 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 usually have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. Moreover, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come equipped with backup alarms and various other types of safety features like for instance lights.
The forklift market is currently divided into around 60 percent electric models, with 40% IC units. Each and every type of forklift has a specific place and is suited to complete many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery outside or inside and what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you would be utilizing determines the kind of lift truck that you would choose.