Since their introduction in the material handling industry in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. Today, these machines are much stronger and smarter. These types of machinery have revolutionized the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all around the globe.
Initially, during their launch roughly 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These units are available in a huge variety of weight capacities, different designs and many lifting heights. Moreover, these types of machines are available with a variety of ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the wide array of lift trucks available today are the tires which move the machine and the forks which are utilized to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of forklifts used in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric forklift units and Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: 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 forklift. This unit is the counterbalanced, sit-down type. A weight situated in the rear of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. 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. What's more, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features such as lights.
The forklift market is currently divided into about 60% electric units, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Each type of lift truck has a specific place and is suited to complete many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machinery outdoors or indoors and what specific kinds of cargo you will be utilizing as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on determines the kind of forklift which you would choose.