Ever since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. Nowadays, these high tech machines are a lot stronger and smarter. These types of machinery have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
The first forklifts around 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized equipment which were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. These days, extremely sophisticated models are offered in the marketplace. These models are offered in a huge variety of weight capacities, various designs and many lifting heights. Additionally, these machinery are offered with a range of ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could greatly increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires allow the machine to move around and the forks can lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of forklifts utilized in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks include Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common type of lift truck. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight located in the rear of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of around 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. What's more, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features like lights.
The lift truck market is now divided into approximately 60 percent electric units, with 40 percent IC units. Every type of lift truck has a specific place and is best to accomplish a lot of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be using the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing determines the kind of forklift which you will pick.