Lift trucks have gone through a major change ever since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. These types of machines have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the world.
Initially, during their introduction approximately 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized machines designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. Today, extremely advanced units flood the marketplace. These units are offered in various weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. Additionally, these vehicles come with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires enable the equipment to move around and the forks can carry and lift loads. The basic application and design of different types of forklifts used in distribution centers, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Internal Combustion or IC models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: 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 version of the lift truck. A weight situated in the rear of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are available with backup alarms and other safety features like for example lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are IC models. Each type of forklift has a specific place and is ideal to complete many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be using the machinery outside or indoors and what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing as well as what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on determines the type of forklift that you will select.