Ever since their introduction in the material handling business during the 1920s, lift trucks have gone through a huge evolution. These days, these high tech machines are much stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse centres all over the world.
Initially, during their launch around 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized machines made to move pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, very sophisticated units are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these machines are available with a range of ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall productivity attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on the majority of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires allow the equipment to move around and the forks could carry and lift loads. The basic application and design of different types of forklifts used in manufacturing centers, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is included in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as 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 kind. A weight located in the back of this machine is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Normally, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of around 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and various other types of safety features like lights.
About 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are IC units. Each and every kind of forklift has a particular place and is suited to complete lots of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outdoors or indoors and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of loads you will be using determines the kind of forklift that you would pick.