Since their introduction in the material handling business in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much 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 around the world.
The initial lift trucks approximately 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machines which were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very advanced models flood the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, different designs and many lifting heights. Furthermore, these types of vehicles are available with a variety of ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could really increase the overall production attained during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the huge range of forklifts available today are the tires which move the equipment and the forks that are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of forklifts used in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing operations is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the forklift. A weight located in the machine's back is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Moreover, these units can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features such as lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are IC units. Every type of forklift has a specific place and is suited to accomplish a lot of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machinery outdoors or inside and what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on determines the type of forklift which you would pick.