What are the different types of forklifts available?

Forklifts, also known as fork trucks, are (in the very simplest of terms) a vehicle with two power-operated forks at the front that can be slid under heavy loads and then raised for moving and stacking materials. There are an extensive range and variety available that are used to put your daily products onto store shelves.

From the most common counterbalance to rough terrain trucks, you will need to consider where your truck will be operating, what it will be moving and how long your truck will be in operation. These are all essential factors to think about when searching for the most suitable materials handling equipment for the job in hand. It can be challenging - potential factors that impact the choice of equipment can vary from the gradient and type of ground to lifting capacity/dimensions of load, through to aisle width and height restrictions within the working environment. That’s before considering working in hazardous or dangerous environments, but that’s another story!

Why ask where? 

There are a variety of things to consider depending on the task at hand. For example, as with most vehicles, a forklift truck requires the appropriate tyres to operate safely in a given environment. The flooring could be outdoors on uneven ground such as construction sites, so a regular solid tyre truck may not suffice and a rough terrain model may be required. If your truck is working in extreme temperature conditions such as cold stores, you will require trucks that are specially adapted for cold store operations; these include features such as high capacity batteries, special oils and heated cabs.

These are only a few of the factors that can impact decisions. This is why it is best to speak to specialists like Dawsongroup MH who have a wide product knowledge and can offer the best advice on the correct materials handling equipment for your business.

Why does the load matter?

What seems to be a simple case of manoeuvring products from point A to point B can actually be complex; you need to establish the size and weight of the load in order to find a truck that, at its simplest, balances the product out to prevent tilting the truck. Forklift safety is not to be ignored - a high level of awareness particularly for the driver can prevent accidents from happening.

How about the duration of operation?

A key difference between forklift types is their power source. This takes into consideration many factors, including how long the machine will be up and running, what environment they will be in, as well as how they will obtain the energy source.

There is a considerable amount of factors to take into consideration when finding the most suited materials handling equipment. Be sure to obtain professional advice and training before operating a forklift!