Forklifts have undergone a major evolution ever since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. These kinds of machinery have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all around the world.
The first forklifts roughly 100 years ago, began as very simple pieces of motorized equipment that were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Today, really sophisticated models are offered in the marketplace. These models are available in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. Furthermore, these machinery come with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible could really increase the overall production attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the huge range of forklifts available today are the tires that move the machinery and the forks which are used to raise loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of lift trucks used in warehousing applications, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Electric lift truck units and Internal Combustion or IC models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this particular category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common type of forklift. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight found in the equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks will normally have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. Furthermore, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are available with backup alarms and different other types of safety features like for instance lights.
The lift truck market is currently divided into roughly 60 percent electric models, with 40 percent IC units. Each kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish a lot of different jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the equipment outside or inside and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what particular types of loads you will be utilizing determines the kind of lift truck which you would choose.