Ever since their introduction in the material handling industry in the 1920s, forklifts have undergone a huge change. Nowadays, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. These types of machines have changed the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
Initially, during their introduction roughly 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized equipment made to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These models are offered in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Furthermore, these equipments are offered with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can really add to the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features that are on the wide range of forklifts available today are the tires which move the machine and the forks which are utilized to raise loads. The basic design and application of various types of forklifts used in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck models as well as Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this particular class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common kind of lift truck. This model is the counterbalanced, sit-down version. A weight found in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Furthermore, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come outfitted with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features like lights.
The forklift market is now divided into approximately 60% electric models, with 40% Internal Combustion units. Each and every type of lift truck has a particular place and is suited to accomplish lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machine outside or indoors and what type of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you would be utilizing determines the type of forklift which you would choose.