Since their launch in the material handling industry during the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge evolution. Nowadays, these high tech machines are a lot stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
Initially, during their introduction approximately 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized machines made to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these types of equipments come with various ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could greatly increase the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the huge variety of forklifts available these days are the tires that move the equipment and the forks which are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of different kinds of forklifts utilized in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution facilities is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach 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 most common kind of forklift is the sit-down counterbalanced kind of the lift truck. A weight situated in the machine's back is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will usually have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. In addition, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
Roughly 60% percent are electric models and roughly 40% percent are IC units. Each type of lift truck has a particular place and is suited to accomplish lots of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machine outdoors or indoors and what particular types of cargo you would be using as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the type of forklift which you will choose.