Forklifts have undergone a major change since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. These types of equipment have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the world.
The first lift trucks about 100 years ago, began as very simple pieces of motorized equipment which were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These units are available in different weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Furthermore, these machines are offered with various ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can greatly add to the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on the majority of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires enable the machine to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of various kinds of forklifts utilized in distribution facilities, warehousing operations and manufacturing facilities is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Electric forklift units as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down version of the forklift. A weight found in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Normally, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Moreover, 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 for example lights.
The lift truck market is currently divided into roughly 60 percent electric models, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Every kind of lift truck has a specific place and is best to accomplish lots of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machine outside or inside and what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you would be using determines the type of forklift which you will select.