We all know that forklifts are pretty much a staple piece of Material Handling Equipment for all kinds of businesses. Almost any company that runs operations and services will have a forklift truck, new or old, because they make working substantially easier and smoother! But have you ever thought about how many types of forklift trucks there are? The list can go on for… days. But this list will only list the main categories, not the sub-categories, or the sub-categories of the sub-catergories…
Let’s jump straight into the different types of forklift trucks available on the market.
Electric forklifts are a type of forklift that more and more people are leaning towards purchasing today, in the age of climate control and net-zero emissions awareness. They operate on motors that are powered by battery. They perform the same as the more traditional forklifts (gas and diesel), but they let off no emissions and are much quieter in comparison.
Gas forklifts are somewhat environmentally friendly. They are nowhere near as harmful [to the environment] as diesel, but they’re not quite as clean as electric forklifts. They have low noise and are extremely resilient! Gas forklifts are powerful and can move heavy loads over long distances effectively.
Unlike gas and electric forklifts, diesel forklift trucks have slightly more power. They are substantially louder and can sometimes have a smell to them. They are amazing for outdoor operations and last a very long time, giving you a great return on investment.
Similarly to electric forklifts, these are powered by a battery, but this is a specific type – lithium-ion. This lithium-ion battery is a new kind of technology, in an attempt to push out typical lead-acid batteries and in some cases, diesel and LPG.
There is no surprise that counterbalance forklift trucks are one of the most popular choices. They are exceptionally powerful and have the most safety out of them all. They are able to keep a truck stable and balanced, especially when lifting heavy loads. On average, they can lift between 1.8 tonne – 48 tonne, depending on the model!
You’re much less likely to find a rough-terrain forklift used indoors. For obvious reasons. They are a piece of equipment that is designed solely for outdoor work, on uneven and bumpy surfaces. They most commonly come in four-wheel drive. They can also be known as all-terrain forklifts, of heavy-duty lift trucks.
Big forklift trucks can look daunting. They are large and powerful, and can take on A LOT. They are versatile, safe and make processes much more streamlined.
A reach truck is a commonly used piece of machinery. It is most commonly used in warehouses as they are narrow-aisle and have the capabilities for right-hand stacking. They are great for working in tight spaces and can sometimes reach heights of 10 metres.
Order pickers are used to pick and deliver the materials required for fulfilling orders. They’re a great piece of equipment for e-commerce businesses, because they do all of the heavy lifting for you!
This is the most basic piece of material handling equipment. It’s intended use it to move pallets in a warehouse or trailer and are an essential. They are typically very small, and come in electric or manual. Operators should stay outside of the pallet jack when operating.
Side loader forklifts are a type of industrial truck designed for lifting and transporting long/ wider loads through tighter spaces. Unlike typical forklift trucks, side loaders carry their loads at the side.
These are a more compact forklift design, once again made to fit in very narrow aisles that are just a few metres wide. Some models are able to operate in aisle widths of less than six feet! Articulated forklifts are great for fast-paced warehouse environments.
A telescopic handler, or telehandler, is a hydraulic lifting machine which is used to carry and place heavy materials. They are flexible and can handle all different types of loads. They’re extremely cost effective for all that they are able to achieve. There is also a very big difference between a telehandler and a forklift, one of which being their size.
A four-way forklift (or four-way reach truck) can change direction seamlessly, backwards, forwards and side to side – which is where the name four-way comes from. They are great for carrying things like pipes and planks of wood, for example. They are built to last.
When being transported, truck-mounted forklifts are stored in a box on the carrier vehicle and can be used anywhere, at any time, in less than 30 seconds. The truck-mounted forklift with remote control has an amazing, innovative, and practical design.
Trilateral or bilateral turret trucks, also referred to as narrow aisle forklift trucks, are devices designed to operate in aisles that are between 1,500 and 1,800 mm wide. Storage capacity is noticeably increased as a result of this technology. These forklifts are capable of lifting a load beyond 14 meters.
Did you know that you can buy all of this right here at Acclaim Handling? Just reach out to a friendly member of our team today and we’d be happy to help!
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