Lift trucks have gone through a major evolution ever since their introduction to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. These types of machinery have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses within our distribution and warehouse facilities all over the globe.
The initial lift trucks roughly 100 years ago, started as very simple pieces of motorized equipment that were only capable of moving pallet loads from one place to another. Today, really advanced units flood the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, numerous lifting heights and different designs. Additionally, these machines are available with different ergonomic designs to enhance driver comfort and lots of new safety features. Keeping the driver as comfortable as possible could greatly add to the overall production 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 machinery to move around and the forks could lift and carry loads. The basic application and design of various kinds of lift trucks used in distribution facilities, warehousing applications and manufacturing centers is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: Internal Combustion or IC units, and Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Reach Trucks, Order Pickers and Turret Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
In this category, Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks are included, as are Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of forklift is the sit-down counterbalanced version of the lift truck. A weight found 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.
Counterbalanced lift trucks would normally have lifting heights of about 16 feet, or 189 inches. In addition, these units could lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced forklifts are offered with backup alarms and other safety features like for instance lights.
Around 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are IC units. Every kind of lift truck has a specific place and is suited to accomplish many various tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be utilizing the machine outside or indoors and what specific kinds of loads you will be using as well as what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on determines the kind of lift truck which you will choose.