How do we choose forklifts

-Common Forklift Classification

Forklift truck is one of the most widely used mechanical equipment in the industrial field, whether it is a warehouse, factory or construction site, a large number of cargo handling work requires forklift application. However, there are many categories of forklifts, and different kinds and loadings of forklifts have their own advantages and disadvantages. Before buying or renting a project, we need to have a relative understanding of forklifts.

According to the different operation methods, there are 8 kinds of forklift classification in the market, and the unmanned situation of each type of forklift:

1) Pallet forklift truck 

2) Stacker forklift truck 

3) Counterbalance forklift truck 

4) Reach forklift truck 

5) Pick up forklift trucks 

6) Off-road forklift trucks 

7) Heavy lift truck 

8) Telescopic boom forklift truck

1)  Pallet forklift truck

Pallet forklift is divided into electric pallet forklift and manual pallet forklift, generally the load is about 2T, mainly used in the transfer of goods inside and outside the warehouse, because there is no lifting gantry, so the pallet forklift is only used for carring on a flat surface . Although pallet forklift trucks cannot lift the goods, the purchase and lease costs are much lower.

2) Stacker forklift truck

Stacking forklift truck, also known as the palletizing forklift truck, refers to the wheeled handling vehicle for loading and unloading, stacking height, stacking and short-distance transportation of the component pallet goods.Stacker have a gantry, but it doesn't have a cab like other lift forklifts, mainly for flexible handling and height operations.

3) Counter balanced forklift

Counter balanced forklift is one of the most widely used forklift classification, the counterbalance forklift forks are outside the front wheel center line. The main feature is that the counterweight is installed at the rear of the forklift in order to overcome the overturning moment of the goods. A counterbalance forklift with pneunatic tires runs fast and has good climbing ability. The scope of operation is widely applicable for loading, stacking and handling integrated items in ports, stations and factories. Forklifts under 3 tons can also operate in cabins, train carriage and in containers. The general lifting height is 2-4 meters.

4) Reach forklift truck

Mast or fork of reach forklift can move back and forth, the maximum lifting height has reached 11.5 meters, load range from 1-2.5 tons. To access long and wide-piece goods,multidirectional reach forklift truck, double depth reach forklift truck, indoor and outdoor universal reach forklift truck and other special purpose products have been developed and gradually become the main tool.

5) Pick up forklift trucks

Pick up forklift, also known as order picking forklift, fork and human standing pedal are installed on the inner slide frame, moving up and down together with the loading and unloading device, and the operator can act on both sides, pick the items stored on both sides of the shelves. The lifting height of a picking forklift is 4 to 6 meters. Picking forklift turning radius is small, suitable for narrow channels, high-rise shelf warehouse.

6) Off-road forklift trucks

Off-road forklifts are the main outdoor work forklift classification. Compared to industrial counterbalance forklifts, they use inflatable tires for outdoor buildings and local operations with uneven surfaces, such as gravel, sand, mud and even ice-covered ground. Off-road forklifts have powerful engines, thus are faster and more flexible and durable. The load capacity of off-road forklift is generally 3-5T.

7) Heavy lift truck

Heavy lift forklift (also known as large capacity forklift) combines the function of warehouse forklift and the function of telescopic forklift, with high load capacity, lifting weight is 13T-25T, common heavy load forklift truck and container front lifting forklift, container stack machine, general application scope is relatively narrow, concentrated in heavy industry and container terminal scenarios.

8) Telescopic boom forklift truck

Telescopic boom forklifts, also known as telescopic forklifts, have boom and retractable arms. A cargo fork attached to the telescopic boom lifts 2.5T of material off the ground and lifts it from 6-19 m in the air. Telescopic boom forklifts are ideal for reaching into narrow spaces and are widely used in factories, stations, docks, freight yards, post and telecommunications, forests, building materials, warehouses, etc.

To choose the suitable model from all the different forklift types, you need to consider the following general reference standards to ensure the operation efficiency and safety of the selected equipment:

1) Weight, length, width and height of cargo ;

2) The lifting capacity (load loss) and lifting height of the forklift;

3) Work site conditions: ground bearing capacity, slope, smoothness, site width limit, height limit;

4) Other factors: extreme operating temperature