Ever since their launch in the material handling industry during the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much smarter and stronger. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the world.
The first forklifts roughly 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized equipment which were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. These days, really advanced models are offered in the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. In addition, these kinds of machinery come with various ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could really increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features that are on the huge array of forklifts available nowadays are the tires that move the machinery and the forks that are used to lift loads. The basic design and application of various kinds of forklifts used in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: Electric lift truck models and Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common type of lift truck. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight located in the rear of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of approximately 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Additionally, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come outfitted with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
The forklift market is currently divided into around 60 percent electric units, with 40% Internal Combustion units. Each kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of cargo you would be using determines the type of forklift that you would choose.