Forklifts have undergone a major evolution since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
The first lift trucks approximately 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized equipment which were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These units are available in different weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. In addition, these types of equipments are offered with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can greatly add to the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machine to move around and the forks could carry and lift loads. The basic application and design of different kinds of forklifts used in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck models as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks include Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the sit-down counterbalanced version of the forklift. A weight located in the back of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Normally, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Moreover, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and other safety features such as lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each and every type of forklift has a specific place and is ideal to accomplish lots of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be using the machinery outdoors or indoors and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what specific types of cargo you would be using determines the kind of lift truck which you will pick.