Forklifts have gone through a major evolution since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. These types of machines have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution centres all around the globe.
At first, during their introduction approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were really simple pieces of motorized machinery designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, really sophisticated units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. In addition, these vehicles come with different ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall production attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires enable the equipment to move around and the forks can carry and lift loads. The basic application and design of different types of lift trucks utilized in distribution centers, warehousing applications and manufacturing facilities is included in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: IC or Internal Combustion units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
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 counterbalanced, sit-down type. A weight found in the rear of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced forklifts will normally have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. As well, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features like for example lights.
The forklift market is currently divided into around 60 percent electric models, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Each and every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many various jobs. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machine outside or indoors and what specific kinds of loads you will be utilizing as well as what kind of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on determines the type of forklift which you will pick.