9 Types of Forklifts and Their Benefits

Forklifts come in a variety of sizes and styles, each built to perform a specific function. Some forklifts are better suited for tight spaces while others do well on rough terrain, some are built to haul heavy loads while others are great for moving small items. Here, you can compare nine types of forklifts and their benefits.

WAREHOUSE FORKLIFTS

Main Benefit: Easy to operate, great for warehouses and stores Most commonly used in warehouses and stores, warehouse forklifts have a standard, straightforward operation. They consist of dual forks at the front of the truck, which are counterbalanced by a weight at the back. Warehouse forklifts are great for loading and unloading pallets as well as transporting items to and from delivery vehicles. Versatile and widely-used, they run on electric, propane or diesel.

THREE-WHEEL COUNTERBALANCE FORKLIFTS

Main Benefit: Best for maneuvering through narrow spaces Three-wheel counterbalance forklifts are similar to warehouse forklifts in that they have dual forks at the front with a counterbalance weight at the back, and they are commonly used in warehouses and stores. Unlike warehouse forklifts, however, three-wheel counterbalance forklifts have only three wheels, which makes them easier to maneuver down narrow aisles and around tight turns.

REACH FORKLIFTS

Main Benefit: Extended lift height for high-rise storage pallet racking systems Reach forklifts are built to reach extended heights, allowing an operator to pull pallets from the top of high stacks. Rather than using a counterweight to prevent tipping, reach forklifts have stabilizing legs at the front that they utilize for support. There are three kinds of reach forklifts: stand-up trucks, which are the most common type of reach forklift; double-deep trucks, which have longer forks that can reach to the back of a bay; and saddle trucks, which have the ability to grip onto the edges of a load for increased stability. Reach forklifts are designed mainly for indoor work and feature an open compartment that gives operators better visibility.

SIDE LOADER FORKLIFTS

Main Benefit: Ideal for narrow working environments or wide loads The forks of a side loader forklift are mounted to the side of the truck, allowing operators to pick up wide or long loads (such as piping or timber), as well as to lift loads in a narrow working environment. Due to their sideways operation, side loader forklifts can also drive up alongside racks and load or unload items without having to turn, which makes these trucks ideal for narrow working environments. Side loaders are often used by manufacturing facilities with bulky items, such as steel service centers.

ROUGH TERRAIN FORKLIFTS

Main Benefit: Great for outdoor areas, construction zones or rough terrain Rough terrain forklifts are outfitted with tractor-style tires that are both oversized and threaded, giving these forklifts better balance and stability on rocky outdoor terrain. Rough terrain forklifts are available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive and are equipped with either a traditional straight mast or a telescoping mast for greater reach. These forklifts are specifically designed for outdoor job sites, especially on uneven surfaces.

TELESCOPIC HANDLER FORKLIFTS (TELEHANDLERS)

Main Benefit: Allows for high lifting, much like a small crane Telescopic handler forklifts (also known as telehandlers), are ideal for projects that require high lifting. Much like a small crane, these trucks have a single boom that can attach to lift tables, buckets or pallet forks, which enables an operator to complete work at heights that a normal forklift could not reach. These trucks are also great for reaching into tight spaces at odd angles.

INDUSTRIAL FORKLIFT (HIGH CAPACITY FORKLIFT)

Main Benefit: Good for lifting heavy loads up higher distances The industrial forklift (also called a large or high capacity forklift) is a mix between the warehouse forklift and a telehandler. These trucks can lift heavier loads higher off the ground than a warehouse forklift can. The lifting capacity of industrial forklifts range from 19,000 to 100,000 pounds.

PALLET JACK

Main Benefit: Good for moving small loads in tight spaces or for companies on a budget Pallet jacks are a good option for companies on a budget. Unlike most other forklifts, pallet jacks do not include a place for the operator to sit; instead, the worker stands behind the jack and uses their upper body to maneuver the equipment while standing on the ground. While pallet jacks aren’t able to lift large loads, they can fit into tight spaces and are great for moving smaller loads. Though pallet jacks don’t have the power or maneuverability of most other forklifts, they can be bought or rented for a lower price.

ORDER PICKER FORKLIFTS (CHERRY PICKER FORKLIFTS)

Main Benefit: Best for picking individual items from shelves Order picker forklifts (also known as cherry pickers) can reach a height of up to 32 feet and are used to pick and deliver materials from storage. Order pickers allow an operator to raise and lower themselves while operating the truck. They are ideal for customer order warehouses and storage facilities, since they allow an operator to maneuver and select individual items from a shelf rather than lifting full loads.

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