Lift trucks have undergone a major evolution ever since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. They have changed the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
The first lift trucks approximately 100 years ago, began as very simple pieces of motorized machines that were just capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Today, really advanced models flood the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these machinery are offered with different ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible could greatly add to the overall productivity accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on the majority of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires enable the machinery to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of various types of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Internal Combustion or IC models, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach 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 lift truck is the counterbalanced sit-down type of the lift truck. A weight found in the back of this equipment is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. 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. In addition, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric models and approximately 40% percent are IC models. Each kind of forklift has a particular place and is suited to accomplish many different jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machinery outside or inside and what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of loads you will be using determines the type of forklift which you would pick.