Ever since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. Today, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the world.
Initially, during their launch around 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very advanced units are available in the marketplace. These units are available in different weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these vehicles are available with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can really increase the overall production attained during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features that are on the wide range of lift trucks available these days are the tires that move the equipment and the forks that are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks utilized in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution centers is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Internal Combustion or IC models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this particular 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 type of the forklift. A weight located in the machine's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Normally, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of around 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. What's more, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come equipped with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features like lights.
The lift truck market is now divided into around 60% electric models, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Each type of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete lots of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be using the machinery outdoors or inside and what type of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing determines the kind of forklift that you will select.