Ever since their introduction in the material handling industry in the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge evolution. Today, these machines are much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the world.
Initially, during their introduction roughly 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Moreover, these vehicles are available with a variety of ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could really add to the overall production attained during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features that are on the wide range of lift trucks available today are the tires that move the equipment and the forks which are utilized to lift loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks used in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Internal Combustion or IC models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks include Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight situated in the rear of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would usually have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. Furthermore, these models could lift 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.
The lift truck market is currently divided into approximately 60% electric models, with 40 percent IC units. Each and every kind of lift truck has a specific place and is ideal to complete lots of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery 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 type of lift truck which you will pick.