Forklifts have gone through a major evolution ever since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot 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.
At first, during their launch approximately 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these kinds of vehicles are available with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could really increase the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires allow the machine to move around and the forks can lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of various types of forklifts used in distribution centers, warehousing operations and manufacturing facilities is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts comprise: IC or Internal Combustion models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks comprise: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced type of the forklift. A weight found in the back of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would normally have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. In addition, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features such as lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and about 40% percent are IC units. Each and every type of forklift has a particular place and is suited to complete a lot of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery outside or inside and what particular kinds of loads you will be using as well as what kind of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the kind of forklift that you would pick.