Lift trucks have gone through a major change ever since their introduction to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. They have changed the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all over the globe.
The initial forklifts about 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machines which were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are offered in a wide variety of weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. Moreover, these types of vehicles are offered with a range of ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can greatly increase the overall production attained during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the huge variety of forklifts available nowadays are the tires that move the equipment and the forks that are utilized to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various types of forklifts used in manufacturing centers, distribution facilities and warehousing applications is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: IC or Internal Combustion models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced type of the lift truck. A weight situated in the back of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of about 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 forklifts come outfitted with backup alarms and various other types of safety features like lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and around 40% percent are IC models. Every kind of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish a lot of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery outdoors or indoors 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 kind of forklift which you would pick.