Lift trucks have undergone a major change since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse centres all around the globe.
At first, during their launch approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines made to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, really sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, different designs and many lifting heights. Additionally, these kinds of machines come with a variety of ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can really add to the overall production attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires enable the machine to move around and the forks could carry and lift loads. The basic application and design of different types of forklifts utilized in distribution facilities, warehousing operations and manufacturing centers is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this particular category, 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 equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features like for instance lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and about 40% percent are IC units. Each and every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machine outside or indoors and what specific kinds of loads you will be using as well as what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you will pick.