Ever since their launch in the material handling industry during the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. Today, these machines are a lot smarter and stronger. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
At first, during their introduction around 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized equipment made to transport pallet loads from one place to another. These days, extremely advanced models flood the marketplace. These units are available in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Additionally, these types of machines are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can really increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the huge range of forklifts available nowadays are the tires that move the machine and the forks which are utilized to lift loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of forklifts used in distribution centers, warehousing operations and manufacturing facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric forklift models as well as Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced version of the lift truck. A weight found in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks will usually have lifting heights of approximately 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 lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are IC units. Every type of lift truck has a specific place and is ideal to complete a lot of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machinery outdoors or indoors and what particular types of loads you would be utilizing as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the kind of forklift that you will choose.