Since their introduction in the material handling industry in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. Nowadays, these high tech machines are a lot stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the globe.
Initially, during their launch around 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely advanced units flood the marketplace. These models are available in a wide variety of weight capacities, various designs and many lifting heights. Moreover, these kinds of machines are offered with a range of ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could really add to the overall productivity attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features which are on the huge array of forklifts available nowadays are the tires that move the machine and the forks that are used to lift loads. The basic design and application of various kinds of lift trucks utilized in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of forklift. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight situated in the machine's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Moreover, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available 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 best to accomplish many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outside or indoors and what particular kinds of cargo you will be using as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the type of lift truck that you would pick.