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. These types of equipment have revolutionized the material handling world and have become exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the globe.
The first forklifts approximately 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machines which were just capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. These days, really sophisticated units are available in the marketplace. These units are available in a wide range of weight capacities, various designs and numerous lifting heights. Furthermore, these machines are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall productivity attained during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires enable the machinery to move around and the forks could carry and lift loads. The basic design and application of different types of forklifts used in warehousing applications, manufacturing centers and distribution centers is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: Internal Combustion or IC units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks consist of Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks and Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This model is the sit-down, counterbalanced 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 would usually have lifting heights of roughly 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are available with backup alarms and various other types of safety features like for instance lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each kind of forklift has a particular place and is suited to accomplish lots of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machinery outside or inside and what kind of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what particular types of cargo you will be using determines the kind of forklift that you would select.