Since their launch in the material handling business in the 1920s, lift trucks have undergone a huge change. These days, these machines are much smarter and stronger. They have revolutionized the material handling world and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all around the globe.
The first forklifts approximately 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized machinery that were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely advanced units flood the marketplace. These models are available in various weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. In addition, these types of machinery are available with various ergonomic designs to improve operator comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can really increase the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on most of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires enable the machine to move around and the forks can lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of lift trucks used in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: IC or Internal Combustion models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks include Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The forklift is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight located 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 forklifts will usually have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Also, these models could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are available with backup alarms and other safety features like for example lights.
Around 60% percent are electric models and around 40% percent are internal combustion models. Every type of forklift has a particular place and is best to accomplish a lot of different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machinery outside or inside and what particular types of cargo you will be utilizing as well as what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on determines the type of forklift which you will select.