Lift trucks have undergone a major change since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
The first forklifts around 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized equipment that were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, extremely advanced models flood the marketplace. These units are offered in a huge array of weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Moreover, these types of machinery are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can really increase the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the huge variety of forklifts available today are the tires which move the machinery and the forks which are used to raise loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of lift trucks utilized in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution centers is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: IC or Internal Combustion models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the counterbalanced, sit-down kind. A weight situated in the rear of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will normally have lifting heights of roughly 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come equipped with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and approximately 40% percent are IC units. Every type of forklift has a specific place and is best to complete lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you would be utilizing determines the type of lift truck that you would choose.