Forklifts have undergone a major evolution ever since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot smarter and stronger. These kinds of equipment have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all around the world.
At first, during their launch approximately 100 years ago, forklifts were really simple pieces of motorized machines made to move pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These models are offered in different weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these vehicles are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and numerous new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could 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 could lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of different types of forklifts used in distribution facilities, warehousing operations and manufacturing centers is included in this specific article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: Electric lift truck models as well as IC or Internal Combustion units.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
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 most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the forklift. A weight located in the rear of this machine 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 roughly 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Additionally, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come equipped with backup alarms and various other kinds of safety features such as lights.
The forklift market is now divided into approximately 60% electric models, with 40 percent IC units. Every type of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or indoors and what kind of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what specific types of cargo you will be utilizing determines the kind of lift truck that you will choose.