Forklifts have gone through a major change since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the globe.
The initial forklifts around 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machines that were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. These days, really sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These models are available in a wide range of weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these equipments come with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could really add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features which are on the wide range of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires which move the machine and the forks which are utilized to raise loads. The basic application and design of different kinds of forklifts used in warehousing operations, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: IC or Internal Combustion models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common type of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight situated in the equipment's back is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would normally have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. Furthermore, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features like for example lights.
The lift truck market is presently divided into around 60% electric models, with 40% Internal Combustion units. Each type of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outside or indoors and what particular kinds of loads you would be utilizing as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on determines the type of lift truck which you would select.