Since their introduction in the material handling business during the 1920s, lift trucks have gone through a huge evolution. These days, these machines are a lot smarter and stronger. These kinds of machines have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the world.
Initially, during their launch roughly 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized machines made to move pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated models are offered in the marketplace. These units are available in a huge array of weight capacities, different designs and numerous lifting heights. Additionally, these machinery are available with a variety of ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfy as possible can greatly add to the overall efficiency attained during a shift.
Among the only remaining universal features that are on the huge variety of lift trucks available nowadays are the tires which move the machinery and the forks that are used to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks used in manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and warehousing applications is covered in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts include: Electric lift truck models as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks consist of: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
In this particular class, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down kind of the forklift. A weight found in the equipment's rear is responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the load. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Typically, a counterbalanced forklift has a lifting height of approximately 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. In addition, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts come outfitted with backup alarms and various other types of safety features such as lights.
The forklift market is now divided into about 60% electric models, with 40 percent Internal Combustion units. Every kind of forklift has a specific place and is ideal to complete a lot of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outside or inside and what particular types of cargo you will be using as well as what type of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you will select.