Ever since their launch in the material handling business in 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 exceptional workhorses in our distribution and warehouse centres all over the globe.
The first forklifts about 100 years ago, started as really simple pieces of motorized machinery that were just capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very advanced units flood the marketplace. These units are offered in a huge array of weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and various designs. In addition, these types of equipments come with a variety of ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfortable as possible can really add to the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
A key feature placed on nearly all of the available lift trucks on the market are tires and forks. Tires allow the equipment to move around and the forks can lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of various types of lift trucks utilized in warehousing operations, manufacturing centers and distribution facilities is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks include: Internal Combustion or IC models, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts include: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
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 type of lift truck. This unit is the sit-down, counterbalanced type. A weight situated in the rear of this machinery 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 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 lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric units and approximately 40% percent are internal combustion units. Each and every kind of forklift has a particular place and is best to complete many various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outside or indoors and what kind of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what specific types of cargo you would be using determines the type of forklift which you would pick.