Lift trucks have undergone a major change ever since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. They have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all around the globe.
The first lift trucks about 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized machines which were just capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very advanced units flood the marketplace. These models are available in a wide range of weight capacities, many lifting heights and various designs. In addition, these kinds of equipments come with various ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly add to the overall production attained during a shift.
Amongst the only remaining universal features that are on the huge range of forklifts available today are the tires that move the machine and the forks which are used to raise loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks used in warehousing applications, manufacturing centers and distribution centers is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Electric lift truck models and IC or Internal Combustion models.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks include: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the sit-down counterbalanced kind of the forklift. A weight situated in the machine's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Normally, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of approximately 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. What's more, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features such as lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machine outside or indoors and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of loads you would be utilizing determines the type of forklift which you would select.