Forklift

Types of forklifts and where they are used

Different businesses needs different forklifts choosing right forklift for your business makes a big difference in productivity and efficiency of your company. Understanding the type of forklift needed for your particular job is very important.

There are 7 major types of forklifts each of it described below

Types of forklifts:

1. Counterbalance forklifts:

The Counterbalance is the most common type of forklift. This type of forklift has its forks at the front of the machine and has counter weight at the rear to counter balance the load lifted by the fork. These forklifts are used both indoor and outdoor and comes in capacity from 1 to 42 tons. These forklifts are available in electric, gasoline and diesel.

2. Three-wheel counterbalance forklifts

These forklifts have three wheels two at the front and one at the rear. Three wheel counterbalance machines are perfect for use in applications where space is limited due to their tight turning circles and excellent manoeuvrability. They are also ideally suited to applications that require inside and outside use and rack loading. These machines prove to be most efficient between narrow aisles.

3. Reach truck forklifts

Reach trucks are designed predominantly for warehouse operation. They offer maximum lift height with excellent manoeuvrability.

“Reach Truck “The name refers to the ability of the fork carriage to reach out beyond the stabilising legs and therefore ‘reach’ into racking. These machines have their mast anywhere between 4.5 meters to 12 meters

The stabilising legs and batteries within a reach truck negate the need for any counterbalance weight. While excellent for use indoors, reach trucks are not ideally suited to work outside. Their low under-carriage clearance can cause problems on uneven working surfaces, and their electric power systems can be prone to contact trouble if regularly shaken due to undulating working surfaces or rain or even dust.

4. Side loaders

They have forks which are mounted to the side of the forklift from the perspective of the operator. These machines are designed to pick and carry wide or long loads such as Timber, Pipes, Metal sheets that would be otherwise difficult to carry by other forklift trucks. There are two main types of side loader forklifts, the enclosed cab that is most commonly used outdoors, and a stand-up version that is more suited to indoor work.

5. Telescopic handlers

These are the special kind of forklifts they don’t have mast like any other ordinary forklift but rather have an extendable boom like crane with a carriage attached to it. These machines have varied use other than just working like forklifts. There are up to 36 attachments which could be fitted to these machines and used in different industry.

6. Rough terrain forklifts

They have inflatable tires with thicker threads, allowing stability on uneven rough terrain. Rough terrain forklifts also have a more powerful engine so it can reach higher speeds, and better manoeuvrability. They are perfect for transporting heavy loads across rugged terrain, with some models handling up to 3 tons per load. The carefully calibrated counterbalance at the back of the truck prevents overbalancing, with it being easily operated in mud, ice or snow.

7. Walkie Truck

Also known as an Electric Pallet Truck, these trucks are designed to have the operator walk behind the truck.These machines are battery operated and moves all pallets more efficiently in narrow aisle because of their small size and excellent manoeuvrability. These machines are controlled using a hand throttle giving the operator the ability to move them forward and backward, as well as stop the machine quickly. Some walkies also have a platform for the operator to stand on.