Ever since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, forklifts have gone through a huge evolution. These days, these machines are a lot stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
The initial forklifts roughly 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machines that were just capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these types of machinery come with a range of ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could greatly add to the overall production accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machinery to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of various types of forklifts utilized in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: IC or Internal Combustion models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common kind of lift truck. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight situated in the rear of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will typically have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these models 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 example lights.
About 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Each and every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the equipment outside or indoors and what specific kinds of cargo you would be using as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the type of forklift that you will pick.