Lift trucks have gone through a major change since their introduction to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now 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.
Initially, during their launch approximately 100 years ago, lift trucks were very simple pieces of motorized equipment designed to transport pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated units are available in the marketplace. These models are available in a huge variety of weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Furthermore, these equipments are offered with different ergonomic designs to enhance operator comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly increase the overall production accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are forks and tires. Tires enable the machinery to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic design and application of different kinds of forklifts utilized in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is covered in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: Internal Combustion or IC units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The lift truck is the most common kind of lift truck. This unit is the counterbalanced, sit-down version. A weight located in the back of this machinery is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would usually have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. What's more, these units are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like for instance lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are internal combustion units. Every type of lift truck has a particular place and is best to complete many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outdoors or indoors and what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what particular types of loads you will be using determines the kind of forklift which you would pick.