Since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, lift trucks have gone through a huge change. These days, these machines are a lot stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
The first lift trucks approximately 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machines that were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very advanced units flood the marketplace. These units are offered in a wide range of weight capacities, different designs and many lifting heights. Moreover, these machinery are available with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible could really increase the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the huge range of lift trucks available today are the tires that move the machinery and the forks which are used to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: Electric lift truck models and IC or Internal Combustion models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced version of the forklift. A weight found in the equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Moreover, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like for instance lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and about 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each kind of lift truck has a specific place and is ideal to complete many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machine outside or indoors and what type of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what particular types of loads you would be utilizing determines the kind of lift truck which you will select.