Ever since their launch in the material handling industry in the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. Today, these high tech machines are much smarter and stronger. These kinds of machines have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the world.
The initial forklifts roughly 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machinery which were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. In addition, these machines are offered with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible could greatly increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on the majority of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires allow the equipment to move around and the forks can carry and lift loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks used in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: 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 forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down version of the lift truck. A weight located 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.
Usually, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. What's more, these units can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features such as lights.
About 60% percent are electric models and about 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each type of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete a lot of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what particular kinds of loads 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 will pick.