Lift trucks have gone through a major evolution since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. These kinds of machinery have changed the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the globe.
At first, during their introduction approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were very simple pieces of motorized machines designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These units are available in various weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. Moreover, these types of equipments are offered with various ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could really increase the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features which are on the wide array of forklifts available today are the tires which move the machinery and the forks that are utilized to raise loads. The basic design and application of various types of forklifts used in manufacturing centers, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: Electric lift truck models and Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common type of forklift. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced version. A weight situated in the machine'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 would usually have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Furthermore, these models are capable of lifting 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 for example lights.
About 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Each and every type of lift truck has a particular place and is best to complete lots of various tasks. Depending on whether or not you will be utilizing the machinery outside or indoors and what kind of surfaces and terrain you would be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of loads you would be using determines the kind of forklift that you would pick.