Since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, lift trucks have gone through a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. These types of machinery have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all around the world.
The initial lift trucks around 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized equipment that were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These units are available in a wide variety of weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Moreover, these vehicles come with a range of ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can greatly increase the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features which are on the huge range of forklifts available today are the tires which move the machinery and the forks that are utilized to raise loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks used in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is included in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric forklift models and IC or Internal Combustion models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach 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 forklift is the sit-down counterbalanced version of the lift truck. 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 models could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come outfitted with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features like lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and about 40% percent are IC models. Each and every kind of lift truck has a specific place and is best to complete lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machinery outdoors or indoors and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what particular types of cargo you would be using determines the kind of forklift that you will select.