Fork-lift trucks and their types

Nowadays forklifts are used to transport the loads needed for all the major industries in the world - from grocery shops to large manufacturing companies. No one considers manual handling of larger goods by employees. There are different types of forklifts on the market that companies can use to make the best use of their valuable time. Their division depends on their purpose, weight and drive. Each has an essential function, namely to transport goods from one place to another and to different height levels without the need for human hands. This is to reduce the risk of injury. It is important to remember that the forklift operator must be suitably licensed to use them in accordance with high safety standards.

There are the following types of forklift trucks:

• by type of drive:
  • electric trucks (mains, battery)
  • diesel-powered trucks (LPG, diesel)
  • manually propelled trolleys
• because of the way it is managed:
  • driver-operated trucks
  • platform trucks steered from a platform on the truck
  • trolleys remotely controlled by automation system
  • wheelchairs with a driver's seat steered from the seat on the wheelchair.

Trolleys three-wheelers i four-wheelThey are the most stable and are used to carry out a wide range of warehouse work. When choosing the right forklift, it is important to take into account how often it will be used and what functions it will perform in the company, as well as what activities it will be used for.

Forklift trucks diesel most commonly use diesel as a fuel, but LPG-powered trucks can also be found on the market. This type of equipment can only be used outdoors due to the significant emissions into the environment. However, if there is a need to use a combustion trolley indoors, it should be fitted with the appropriate filters to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. Trolleys gas (LPG) are an economical option compared to electric trucks. Je Electric Forklift trucks are known as battery trucks. They are ideal for use in halls and warehouses because of their compliance with all safety standards. They are perfect for small spaces because they are comfortable, loadable and manoeuvrable. Their motor is much smaller than in other types of forklifts. Proper care of the battery will ensure that it will serve us for many years. Given the variety of work required and the weight of the goods to be moved, we can distinguish between different types of forklift by application.

High lift trucks are electric devices that enable the load to be moved and turned and lifted by extending the mast so that it is moved towards the centre of gravity of the device. High lift trucks are often referred to as "reach truck' and fall into the general category of all lift trucks. One feature is the location of the operator station, which in this case is positioned sideways. The reach trucks are small in size, which makes them easy to manoeuvre in narrow storage spaces. They have a small turning radius thanks to a three-wheel chassis design. The steering angle is 90°. The main feature that distinguishes reach truck is the height of the mast. These machines use two-piece and three-piece masts, which have a fixed frame and two extension frames.

Lift truck, commonly referred to as a forklift, is a power-driven wheeled motor vehicle that is adapted for the transport of materials with a higher weight. It is used in material handling and in warehouses.

Torsion forklift trucks They allow precise handling of goods, multi-directional is perfect for narrow aisles and between racks in a warehouse, while lateral is most often used for stacking pallets on racks without the need to turn the goods in the aisle.

Front forks are the most common type of forklift truck. Their main feature is the positioning of the mast at the front end, so that the fork tines are parallel to the axis of the machine. Front forklifts are the most versatile. They are used for handling work and also for warehouse operation. Often used as equipment for moving loads on the shop floor, delivering raw materials or taking pallets of goods to warehouses and distribution. One disadvantage is their considerable length, which can sometimes make manoeuvring difficult.

Side loaders are machines with the mast located in a way where, unlike the front forks, the fork tines are perpendicular to the direction of travel. Their main advantage is their small size and their ability to be manipulated in small spaces. They are not suitable for outdoor work.

Variable reach stacker truck also known as telescopic loader be Manitou, which comes from the name of the most popular manufacturer, is a specialised piece of handling equipment. It is used to transport loads in difficult terrains (e.g. on construction sites). Telescopic handlers are quite expensive and complex pieces of equipment. The main component is an arm with a variable outreach that allows for efficient vertical and horizontal handling and manoeuvring of heavier loads in space. It has 4-wheel drive and off-road pneumatic tyres. They are most often found on larger farms, construction sites or wherever there is an opportunity to exploit their greatest advantages.

A hundred years have passed since the first forklift trucks were manufactured, and the continuous improvement of these devices has resulted in their use in many places, including hypermarkets and large construction warehouses, in warehouses, in open spaces, e.g. on construction sites and in industrial plants, where today it is very difficult to imagine working without them. In order to make our work significantly easier, in addition to obtaining the appropriate authorisations, proper operation and observance of safety principles, we should remember about valid UDT supervision and maintenance inspections. Remember that, according to the law, each forklift truck in use must be reported to the Office of Technical Inspection.