Since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge change. Nowadays, these machines are much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all around the world.
At first, during their introduction approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were really simple pieces of motorized equipment designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very advanced models are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in a huge array of weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. In addition, these machines come with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible could greatly increase the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires allow the machinery to move around and the forks can carry and lift loads. The basic design and application of various kinds of lift trucks utilized in distribution centers, warehousing operations and manufacturing centers is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the forklift. A weight situated in the rear of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Usually, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of about 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Furthermore, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
The forklift market is now divided into roughly 60% electric units, with 40% IC units. Every type of forklift has a particular place and is best to complete a lot of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or indoors and what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of cargo you would be utilizing determines the kind of lift truck which you would select.