Ever since their launch in the material handling industry in the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. Nowadays, these high tech machines are a lot stronger and smarter. These types of machinery have changed the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the world.
The initial lift trucks about 100 years ago, started as really simple pieces of motorized machinery which were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these kinds of machines are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can greatly add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features which are on the wide variety of forklifts available nowadays are the tires which move the equipment and the forks that are utilized to raise loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks utilized in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck models and IC or Internal Combustion units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: 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 counterbalanced sit-down version of the forklift. A weight situated in the rear of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would typically have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. As well, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available with backup alarms and various other types of safety features such as lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric models and approximately 40% percent are IC units. Every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is best to complete many different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or indoors and what specific kinds of cargo you will be using as well as what kind of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the kind of forklift that you will choose.