Forklifts have undergone a major change ever since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now much smarter and stronger. These types of machinery have changed the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution facilities all around the globe.
The first forklifts approximately 100 years ago, started as really simple pieces of motorized machinery that were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, really advanced units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Moreover, these kinds of machines come with a variety of ergonomic designs to improve driver 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 nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machine to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of lift trucks utilized in manufacturing centers, distribution facilities and warehousing applications is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck units as well as Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this particular category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common type of forklift. This unit is the counterbalanced, sit-down version. A weight located in the rear of this equipment 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. Furthermore, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and different other types of safety features such as lights.
The forklift market is currently divided into roughly 60% electric units, with 40% IC units. Each and every kind of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to complete a lot of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery outside or indoors and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of loads you would be utilizing determines the type of forklift that you will select.