Not all forklifts are the same. There are some major differences between the various types. This article presents the different types with their respective special features and shows the typical areas of application.
Forklift truck – The well-known all-rounder
Probably the best-known form of forklift truck is the reach truck. Most people would imagine such a vehicle at the mention of the term forklift truck. The device is alternatively called a front loader. It was invented at the beginning of the 20th century by the American Eugene Bradley Clark.
Design and drive
It gets its name from the lifting mast at the front, to which a fork is attached. The forks are usually a little over a meter apart, 1.20 meters to be precise. In this way, they are designed to match the Euro pallets that the forklift truck often lifts and transports.
The lift mast truck works on the principle of counterweight, which is generated by its own weight. This ensures that the vehicle does not tip forwards when lifting objects. In this way, weights of several tons can be moved with a front loader.
The driver has a seat in a small cab, and in most cases the truck is no more than two meters high. Depending on the individual design, the truck has either three or four wheels.
There are various options for driving the vehicle. These include
- Electric drive
- Gas drive
- Gasoline drive
- Diesel drive
The engine has another function in addition to powering the machine. Due to its position under the driver’s cab, it enables a low center of gravity for the device, which helps to ensure that its own weight can be ideally used as a counterweight.
Areas of use of the front loader/forklift truck
Front stackers are used both indoors and outdoors. However, a distinction must be made between the drive types. While electric drives are used in the vast majority of indoor areas, other types of motorization are preferred in outdoor areas.
This is because the emission of exhaust fumes, which are unhealthy for employees, must be avoided indoors. Outside, on the other hand, the more powerful gas, petrol and diesel engines are used.
Thanks to its flexibility, the truck can maneuver in narrow areas and therefore be used in confined aisles for filling and emptying the shelves typical of a warehouse.
The order picker
An order picking truck, on the other hand, has a different design. It can be used not only to lift a fork, but also the driver.
Construction and special features of the platform
The latter stands on a movable platform which, depending on the design, can be raised several meters into the air. This gives the driver access to the loading area, i.e. the forks of the truck, where he can place various goods. There are three different versions:
- the low stroke
- the middle stroke
- the high stroke
With the low lift, the driver always remains close to the ground in his standing device. The medium lift allows the platform, including the operator, to be raised to a height of just over six meters above the ground. With a truck with a high lift, the operator can be lifted up to a height of 10 to 14 meters and then operate from there.
What are order pickers used for?
As the name suggests, the forklift truck is used for order picking, i.e. the assembly of goods based on an order. The order picker forklift is mainly used in warehouses with high shelves.
The driver can take the goods from the shelves through the platform on which he is standing and place them on the forks. In this way, he assembles an order piece by piece, which is then dispatched or delivered.
This also shows a clear difference to the front loader. While the latter can be used for larger pallets and goods, the order picker truck is used to transport smaller and lighter goods in the vast majority of cases. It certainly plays a major role for many mail order companies and online retailers in ensuring a smooth and efficient working day.
The container stacker
Source: stock.adobe.com © Mixage
The container stacker is used to move containers. It is a great advantage that containers have been internationally standardized in terms of their dimensions for several decades.
High performance
It is therefore possible to design such a forklift truck in such a way that it can be used in the day-to-day work of various companies without any problems. The loads to be moved are lifted by a gripper arm and held in place during transportation.
This arm reaches almost 20 meters into the air, making it possible to reach containers that are stacked on top of other containers.
The forklifts are built to be very powerful. Depending on the model, they can transport up to 40 tons – much more than conventional front loaders. The so-called reach stacker, on the other hand, can extend its arm forwards and even transport somewhat heavier containers. To make this possible, it has a particularly high weight, which prevents it from tipping over with heavy loads. At the same time, container stackers can withstand extremely high and low temperatures.
Use of the container stackers
There is a good reason for the latter: the container stackers are mainly used in outdoor areas. This primarily includes places where a large number of goods housed in containers are handled. These include, among others:
- Ports
- Freight stations
In railroad stations, container stackers are sometimes also used to transfer goods directly from one freight train to another.
The telescopic forklift
Like container stackers, telescopic handlers are extremely powerful. However, they also stand out due to their versatility and flexibility of use.
Construction and performance
A characteristic feature of this type of machine is the extendable arm, also known as the telescopic arm. Unlike many other types of forklift, this is attached to the rear of the machine. The driver sits in a cab.
In some cases, it can be used for heights of up to 35 meters. At the same time, the arm is capable of lifting weights of up to 20 tons. In some cases, additional attachment systems are used to support the machine to enable maximum performance.
Versatile usability
Unlike some other types of forklift truck, there is not just one area of application for telescopic handlers. Rather, it is used for various tasks in different industries. These include, among others:
- the construction industry
- Agriculture
- waste recycling
Depending on requirements, it can lift loads or, with an additional platform, transport people to a certain height. In some cases, due to its lifting capacity, it is also converted into a type of crane that lifts loads using a cable attached to the telescopic arm.
Source: stock.adobe.com © luca pb
The heavy-duty forklift truck
A heavy-duty forklift truck has a lot in common with a conventional front loader in terms of its design. A fork moves the goods and is attached to the front of the vehicle.
Special features of the heavy-duty forklift truck
However, these vehicles can lift and move significantly larger masses. This is made possible by an appropriate counterweight, which is attached to the rear of the truck. This prevents the truck from tipping over with heavy weights.
At the same time, these models are considerably larger and heavier than the usual front loaders. Overall, they always weigh more than the weight they were built to transport. The power of the engines is also much higher. Due to these circumstances, they can move loads of up to 80 tons, depending on the model.
Areas of application for the heavy-duty forklift truck
In turn, the versatility of the areas of application is reminiscent of the flexibility of the telescopic handler. For example, they are used for the construction of large and heavy means of transportation. These include aircraft and ships, for example.
They also play a role in other industrial sectors where heavy goods need to be moved. For example, heavy-duty forklifts are also used for concrete production and processing as well as for work in the metal industry.
Other forklift types: Pallet trucks, sideloaders and rough terrain forklifts
In addition to the forklift types already discussed, there are some models that also stand out due to their special individual features.
The pallet truck
Lift trucks are probably the smallest forklift-like vehicle. They are available in different versions. Some are operated entirely by hand, i.e. without a motor. Other models are powered by electricity.
What they have in common is that the driver does not sit in a cab. When loading, the driver stands behind the appliance or on a small platform attached to the rear. Lift trucks are characterized by their particular manoeuvrability and are used in trade, crafts and various industrial sectors.
Source: stock.adobe.com © stock mp
Sideloader
In a sideloader, on the other hand, the fork is not attached to the front, but to the side. This type of forklift has a driver’s cab in which the driver sits and steers the vehicle.
The sideloader is primarily used for transporting long objects. The model is particularly advantageous when such goods have to find their way through narrow aisles. Here, the sideloader shines when loaded thanks to its comparatively high maneuverability and flexibility.
All-terrain forklift
All-terrain forklifts are also known as large tire forklifts. Unlike many other forklift trucks, they can be used on uneven ground such as mud or sloping terrain.
This is made possible by a powerful engine and large tires with deep treads. Many rough-terrain forklifts have dual tires and the distance between the vehicle and the ground is greater than with other types. Due to these special features, they are used in forestry and mining, among other things.
Conclusion
Forklifts are available for a wide variety of needs. Some types impress with their ability to lift and transport heavy loads, while others are particularly maneuverable and flexible. A wide range of industries can benefit extensively from the individual advantages in their day-to-day work.
