Forklifts are one of the most functional and hefty vehicles on any job site. They are used to carry heavy materials, load and unload commodities from delivery vehicles, and safely transfer them to their required destinations.
The versatility of forklifts makes them a requirement that’s why forklifts are found everywhere, from factories and warehouses to various construction sites where heavy materials need to be carried and transported.
If you are looking to buy forklifts, it’s best that you first understand the different types of forklifts and the functions of each.
Types of Forklifts And Their Uses
Since there is a wide range of designs and models, it can be strenuous to select a forklift. Here’s a guide that covers various kinds of forklifts.
- Side loader forklifts:
Side loader forklift is a commodity handling equipment designed for long loads. It offers a cost-effective and versatile way of loading, unloading, and transporting containers and other cargo, and makes your business more efficient. Ascended on a truck, side loader can operate with nominal workforce without any additional appliance, minimizing waiting time, and making it possible to deliver competitive services.
- Warehouse forklift:
Warehouse forklift is present in many factories and commercial warehouses. It is one of the most frequently found working vehicles; it is excellent for transporting any kind of loads and can be utilized to carry equipment.
- Telescopic forklifts:
These are often known as tele-truck or reach forklifts. They have an extending arm that permits them to outreach into the back of delivery trucks and lifts equipment much farther than conventional forklifts. Many tele-cranes can lift heavy loads up to 55 ft. in the air.
- Industrial forklifts:
They are often known as large capacity forklifts, and they can lift much heavier loads than standard forklifts and lift them much farther. Many industrial forklifts start with a weight of 30,000 lbs, but they can’t reach to improper angles as a tele-truck can.
- Reach trucks:
They are designed to be used in warehouses, their name suits their ability to extend their forks beyond their reach and do the lifting of commodities. Reach trucks have low clearance and are most reliable for working indoors on flat surfaces because they have heavy electrical batteries, and they don’t need counterbalance weight to remain stable.
- Rough terrain forklifts:
Rough terrain forklifts are designed for outdoor uses and unstable surfaces. They have thick tractor style tires that neither get wet nor slip on underdeveloped surface, and these tires also provide stability when carrying loads on unevolved roads.
- Pallet trucks:
Pallet trucks are often called pump trucks and pallet jacks. They are very cozy and effortless to use, can fit into the places where other forklifts wouldn’t fit. They are not suitable to upraise the commodities higher because the pallet truck can only raise it enough to explicit the ground. Pallet trucks are also cheaper and inexpensive compared to other forklifts.
