Lift trucks have gone through a major evolution since their introduction to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. These kinds of machines have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses within our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the globe.
The initial lift trucks approximately 100 years ago, began as really simple pieces of motorized equipment that were only capable of transporting pallet loads from one place to another. Nowadays, extremely sophisticated models flood the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. In addition, these kinds of machines come with a variety of ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible can greatly add to the overall production attained during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features which are on the huge variety of forklifts available these days are the tires that move the equipment and the forks that are used to lift loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks used in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is included in this particular article.
Counterbalanced Forklifts
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks consist of: Internal Combustion or IC units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts consist of: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
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 model is the sit-down, counterbalanced kind. A weight situated in the machine's back is responsible for counterbalancing the load's weight. The counterbalance is what prevents the forklift the truck from tipping over.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would usually have lifting heights of approximately 16 feet, or 189 inches. In addition, these units can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like lights.
About 60% percent are electric models and approximately 40% percent are internal combustion models. Each and every type of forklift has a particular place and is best to accomplish many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the equipment outdoors or inside and what type of terrain and surfaces you will be operating on, as well as what particular kinds of cargo you would be using determines the kind of lift truck which you would choose.