Since their launch in the material handling business during the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. These types of machines have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
At first, during their launch around 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized equipment designed to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these kinds of machinery come with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can greatly increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the huge array of forklifts available these days are the tires which move the equipment and the forks which are used to lift loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of forklifts utilized in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing facilities is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: IC or Internal Combustion models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight found in the equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will usually have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. As well, these units can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are IC models. Each and every kind of forklift has a particular place and is suited to accomplish a lot of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of cargo you would be utilizing determines the kind of forklift which you would pick.