Lift trucks have gone through a major change since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now much smarter and stronger. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our distribution and warehouse centres all over the world.
At first, during their introduction roughly 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really sophisticated models are available in the marketplace. These models are available in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Moreover, these equipments come with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could greatly add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the wide array of forklifts available these days are the tires which move the equipment and the forks which are utilized to lift loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of forklifts utilized in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing operations is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight located in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would normally have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. Furthermore, these units can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features like lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and about 40% percent are IC models. Each type of lift truck has a specific place and is suited to complete a lot of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outside or indoors and what specific types of loads you will be utilizing as well as what kind of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the type of lift truck which you would select.