Lift trucks have undergone a major evolution ever since their launch to the market in the 1920s. These machines are now much stronger and smarter. These types of equipment have changed the material handling arena and have become exceptional workhorses in our warehouse and distribution centres all over the world.
Initially, during their launch about 100 years ago, lift trucks were really simple pieces of motorized equipment made to move pallet loads from one place to another. Today, very advanced units flood the marketplace. These units are offered in different weight capacities, many lifting heights and different designs. Furthermore, these equipments come with different ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and many new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible could really increase the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the wide array of lift trucks available these days are the tires that move the machinery and the forks that are used to lift loads. The basic design and application of various types of lift trucks utilized in manufacturing centers, distribution centers and warehousing operations is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks comprise: Electric forklift units as well as Internal Combustion or IC units.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Turret Trucks, Reach Trucks and Order-Pickers.
Low Lift Pallet Jacks or Pallet Trucks
Pallets Jacks include Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common type of lift truck is the sit-down counterbalanced type of the forklift. A weight located 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.
Normally, a counterbalanced lift truck has a lifting height of around 16 feet, 189 inches is the most popular. Also, these models are capable of lifting a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks are offered with backup alarms and different other types of safety features like lights.
Approximately 60% percent are electric models and approximately 40% percent are IC units. Each type of forklift has a particular place and is ideal to accomplish many different tasks. Depending on whether or not you would be using the machine outside or inside and what type of surfaces and terrain you will be operating on, as well as what specific types of loads you would be utilizing determines the type of lift truck which you would select.