Forklifts have gone through a major change since their introduction to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all around the world.
At first, during their launch approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines made to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Today, extremely advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are available in a wide range of weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Furthermore, these machines come with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could greatly increase the overall productivity attained during a shift.
Among 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 used to raise loads. The basic application and design of different kinds of forklifts used in warehousing operations, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is included in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck models as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the forklift. A weight located in the rear 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 typically have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Also, these units are capable of lifting 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.
The forklift market is now divided into approximately 60 percent electric models, with 40% IC units. Each and every kind of lift truck has a specific place and is ideal to complete a lot of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific types of loads you would be using determines the type of lift truck that you would choose.