Since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the globe.
The initial lift trucks around 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machines that were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very sophisticated models are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in different weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. In addition, these kinds of vehicles come with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall production attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features which are on the wide variety of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires that move the machine and the forks that are utilized to pick up loads. The basic application and design of different kinds of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and warehousing operations is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this particular 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 equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks will normally have lifting heights of roughly 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 other safety features like for example lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each and every type of lift truck has a particular place and is best to complete many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of cargo you will be utilizing determines the type of lift truck that you would choose.