Lift trucks have undergone a major change ever since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the globe.
Initially, during their introduction roughly 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized equipment made to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, really sophisticated models are available in the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Moreover, these equipments come with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can really add to the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the wide variety of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires that move the machinery and the forks that are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of different types of forklifts utilized in warehousing operations, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this particular class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced kind of the forklift. A weight found in the rear of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will usually have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Additionally, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and various other types of safety features like lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each and every type of lift truck has a specific place and is ideal to accomplish lots of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outside or inside and what particular types of loads you would be using as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you will choose.