Forklifts – Which Type Is Most Suitable For You

When you visit a warehouse or manufacturing building, a common machine you are likely to come across is the forklift. Also known as lift trucks, these vehicles are used to lift and transport heavy materials, equipment or machinery within such buildings. When looking for a forklift, you need to understand the different types available so that you can select the one that will be most appropriate in providing solutions for your needs.

The two main types of forklifts are the internal combustion and the electric lifts. Internal combustion forklifts are mainly used for outdoor operations since they produce exhaust which if accumulated indoors can be lethal for humans. On the other hand, the electric forklifts are suitable for indoor operations and are mainly used in warehousing. It is more suitable for heavy lifting and compared to the internal combustion types, it is low cost. Although, the internal combustions lift trucks are less expensive than electric ones initially, they are effectively more expensive once you factor in fuel and maintenance costs.

Under each of these forklift categories, the vehicles can either be motorized or manual. For manual lifts, the movement of the load is usually manually powered by the operator who has to be seated in it as it operates while for the motorized lifts there is a motorized drive for the movement of the load and the driver need not sit in the vehicle to operate it.

Forklifts usually come in specialized designs in order to meet the varying needs of lift truck uses. What might be suitable in one operation might not be suitable for another due to different factors such as aisle space, terrain of operations and differing load weights. However, some common features available in most lift trucks are the counterbalance design which is a system installed to prevent the truck from possible over turning, safety handrails and turntables.

Some specialized forklifts include;

Reach forklifts – these have large pneumatic tires and include a boom that extends and raises. They outrigger at the front and this allows them to be stabilized even when being used on uneven ground. If you are looking to unload heavy loads over long distances quickly, this lift truck is very suitable.

Stand-up narrow aisle rider forklifts – this type has straddle legs located on either side which are used to provide extra stability even without counterweights in the body. They are usually electric and are very suitable for use in areas with minimal space allowance.

Sit down rider forklifts – these are lift trucks which have counterbalance weights located at the rear part of the truck.

Motorized hand-pallet jacks – these trucks are used for low lifting and have forks. They usually come in two variants; one allows the forklift operator to stand on the back of the truck while the others are walked meaning the operator walks alongside the truck as it moves the load.

Since these vehicles are very indispensable, it is important to factor them in while constructing warehouses and manufacturing plants so as to ensure their effectiveness and reduce the chances of forklift accidents occurring. Always carefully assess your needs before you purchase a forklift for your operations.




Lornell Morris Jr. is the author of this article on Heavy Forklift. Find more information on Large Forklifts here.