Forklifts have gone through a major evolution ever since their launch to the market during the 1920s. These machines are now a lot stronger and smarter. They have revolutionized the material handling arena and have become irreplaceable workhorses in our warehouse and distribution facilities all over the world.
At first, during their launch roughly 100 years ago, forklifts were really simple pieces of motorized machines made to transport pallet loads from one place to another. These days, very sophisticated models are available in the marketplace. These models are offered in various weight capacities, different designs and many lifting heights. Additionally, these machinery are offered with various ergonomic designs to improve driver comfort and a lot of new safety features. Keeping the operator as comfy as possible can really increase the overall efficiency accomplished during a shift.
One of the only remaining universal features that are on the wide range of forklifts available today are the tires that move the machinery and the forks which are used to pick up loads. The basic application and design of various types of forklifts utilized in manufacturing facilities, distribution facilities and warehousing operations is included in this article.
Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Counterbalanced Forklifts consist of: IC or Internal Combustion units, as well as Electric Trucks.
Narrow-Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Forklifts comprise: Order-Pickers, Turret Trucks and Reach Trucks.
Low Lift Pallet Trucks or Pallet Jacks
Pallets Jacks comprise Electric-Powered Pallet Trucks as well as Non-Powered Pallet Trucks.
Counterbalanced Forklift Trucks
The most common kind of forklift is the counterbalanced sit-down version of the lift truck. A weight found 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 forklifts will typically have lifting heights of around 16 feet, or 189 inches. Additionally, these models can lift a range between 4,000 to 6,500 pounds. Counterbalanced lift trucks come outfitted with backup alarms and different other kinds of safety features like for instance lights.
About 60% percent are electric units and roughly 40% percent are IC models. Each and every kind of lift truck has a particular place and is ideal to complete lots of various jobs. Depending on whether or not you would be using the equipment outdoors or indoors and what kind of terrain and surfaces you would be operating on, as well as what specific kinds of cargo you will be using determines the type of forklift which you will choose.