Ever since their introduction in the material handling business in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. Nowadays, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the world.
The first lift trucks about 100 years ago, started as really simple pieces of motorized machines that were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in different weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these vehicles come with a range of ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can greatly increase 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 enable the machine to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of different types of forklifts utilized in distribution centers, warehousing applications and manufacturing facilities is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: IC or Internal Combustion models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down version of the lift truck. A weight found 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.
Typically, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and other safety features like for example lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Each kind of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to complete many various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what specific types of cargo you will be utilizing determines the type of forklift which you will select.