A counterbalanced sit-down forklift is also called a standard forklift. It is the vehicle that most people envision in their mind when they imagine a lift truck or a forklift. This machine is available in any of the tire types such as pneumatic or solid options in addition to various types of fuel like electric, diesel and gas models. It has a variety of attachment options, lift heights and weight capacities.
The workhorses in the majority of warehouses are the smaller 3000 lb. to 4000 pound trucks. If you are only able to have one truck and are running a smaller operation, this is an ideal choice because it is a really practical alternative. The typical forklift is a wide aisle truck which needs at least 11' aisles to turn in. The width of the aisle is determined by the truck size, the turn radius and the load size. Options and attachments which are available consist of hydraulic clamps, slip sheet attachments, fork shifts and side shifts.
Reach Truck
The reach truck is also referred to as a stand-up reach, straddle reach and double-deep reach. The reach truck is a narrow aisle truck particularly designed for racked pallet storage. This model measures 8' to 10'. The reach truck consists of telescoping forks and uses a hydraulic scissors-type mechanism as well as outriggers in front. The hydraulic scissors kind of mechanism allows you to pick up the load and retract it over the outriggers. This design allows the operator to turn in a narrower aisle by reducing the overall load length of the truck.
The double-deep reach trucks enable the operator to store pallets 2 deep in a uniquely designed double-deep rack. This outcome is provided by a specially extended reach device. Reach trucks are made for racking areas only. They do not work well for loading trucks or for quickly transporting loads over distances. These reach trucks make particular easy work of some specific heavy-duty applications.