Obtaining the right forklift truck for your operation can be an overwhelming experience. Sometimes a compromise has to be sought as the truck may have to perform many different functions. Hopefully our guide to the various main forklift types will aid your selection. We do also offer a no obligation full free site survey to confirm the right truck for you.

Main Industrial Forklift Types.

If using Stacker Pedestrian, Pedestrian counterbalance, electric counterbalance or Reach trucks you are automatically using electric propulsion.

Stacker Pedestrians come in 2 main types. Wrap over leg or straddle. Both types have legs that effectively balance the forklift. The main advantage is in the lower cost, but they suffer the disadvantage that open bottom pallets are required and the legs can foul objects and lorries when loading. The counterbalance pedestrian does not suffer this problem, but it does take a much greater are to manoeuvre in. This is because the operative is standing or riding behind the forklift, effectively increasing its length.

Ride on Counterbalance forklifts will work in a much more confined areas and also have the advantage of handling greater capacities. The acceleration and top speed of c/b electric is not as great as IC engine machines although some of the newer trucks are programmable to replicate IC engine machines.

ICE Engine Forklifts come in 2 main types. Diesel and LP Gas. Diesel Trucks are normally the preferred choice for outdoor work being more rugged, less susceptible to the elements. They do however suffer more emissions and can be both noisy and smelly working inside. Catalytic converters can be fitted to reduce emissions but it is still not as clean as electric.

L P Gas normally runs quieter and give less emissions, again a catalytic converter can be fitted for working inside but again not as clean as electric. Once engines get worn emissions increase through increased oil burn. Being based on a petrol engine with spark plugs etc. they suffer from inclement weather. Capacity wise the normal electric machines only go up to 3,000kg whist 10 ton is not uncommon in IC engine machines.

Tyres also come in 2 main types. Cushion and Pneumatic type. Cushion tyres are small and are used in much tighter applications. Pneumatic tyres allow travel over rougher ground and substitute for suspension giving a smoother ride. Just to complicate things further you can also have pneumatic profile solid tyres which give a firmer ride but have the advantage of longer life and are puncture proof.

This is just a short overview of the main types of industrial forklifts, add to this tow trucks, side loaders and order pickers and the picture becomes far more complicated.

The above is a helper and it is hoped it has not confused you too greatly. We do highly advise that you take advantage of our no obligation full free site survey to confirm the right truck for you.