Here’s our guide to the different types of forklifts available. In warehouses, storage facilities and construction sites, moving heavy loads from A to B is commonplace. In this situation, you won’t find a better solution than a high-quality forklift truck.
But there are different types of forklifts on the market, so which is the right one for you? Here is our simple guide to help you understand the different types of trucks and their ideal applications.
Industrial reach forklift trucks
These forklifts are characterised by an extended lift height. This is perfect for warehouses with tall storage pallet racks. Different types of reach forklifts are better for different scenarios:
- A stand-up truck is best used where each bay has just one load. The forks slide into the pallet to lift and transport the load safely.
- Double-deep trucks have longer forks and are ideal for places where each bay contains multiple pallet loads since they can reach right to the back.
Industrial counterbalance forklifts
An industrial counterbalance forklift is usually applied in indoor environments like stores and warehouses. They are suitable for outdoor use if the surface is even and stable. They are straightforward to operate, with dual forks at the front for the lifting and transporting of loads.
Different models are available within this subcategory, such as three-wheel models that are more manoeuvrable when you have narrow aisles and tight spaces.
Rough terrain forklifts
In outdoor construction, you often have difficult terrain, and this is where these forklifts are ideal. The inflatable tyres have thick threads that provide additional stability on uneven ground. The more powerful engine also enables higher speeds and more power for moving uphill. The result is greater manoeuvrability as well as a more robust and durable machine.
These forklifts are great at moving heavy loads across challenging terrain; some models can manage loads as heavy as three tonnes. The counterbalance is carefully calibrated to prevent overbalancing, and you can use these trucks in muddy, icy or even snowy conditions.
Industrial side loader forklifts
Side loader forklifts are an optimal solution for environments with narrow aisles. The forks are situated on the side of the truck, capable of picking up wider/longer loads that might be difficult to access with other types of forklift.
Generally speaking, side loader forklifts come in two configurations. The stand-up versions are better suited to indoor applications, while enclosed cab models are better for outdoor applications. Another version is the multi-way model, in which the wheels can all be rotated 90° for maximum versatility. These are particularly useful for moving pipes, tubing and sheet materials.
Side loaders are commonly used in the timber industry because they can transport long, heavy loads through narrow spaces.
Telescopic handler forklifts
These are best put to use in industries where high lifting is required, such as agriculture. They have various features that can assist in a number of situations, so people commonly think of them as miniature cranes instead of forklifts.
The telescopic boom gives the truck a great degree of flexibility. You can acquire different practical attachments, such as a bucket, lift table, muck grabber or pallet fork.
These diverse attachments, and the capability to extend the lifting mechanism with front outriggers, makes the telehandler suitable to carry out tasks at heights that are inaccessible to normal forklifts. Telescopic handlers are commonly seen on construction sites as well well as agriculture, and they are often chosen over rough terrain forklifts because of their sheer versatility.
Pedestrian-operated pallet trucks
These are commonly used in storage facilities to move pallets around easily. Pedestrian-operated trucks involve sliding the forks under the pallet and activating the hydraulic jack, which lifts up the load in order to move it.
There are many designs and styles, some of which can lift up to five thousand pounds, but the biggest distinction is between lift trucks and pallet trucks.
The latter simply moves a load from A to B at ground level. A lift truck, meanwhile, can elevate the palletised load to a greater height for stacking purposes.
How can West Mercia help?
West Mercia Fork Trucks offer forklift hire Birmingham-wide and all around the midlands. We also provide sales, services and repairs to provide a comprehensive forklift truck specialism. We offer machines of all types and capabilities, and we are the longest-serving dealer of Doosan forklift trucks anywhere in the UK.
We have a reputation for supplying top-quality new and used equipment. We will help you find the right solution for your needs and budget. Contact us today and we will get the ball rolling for you.
