Counterbalance lift trucks are basically forklifts that are engineered with counterweight at the back of the machinery. The counterweight works to balance the weight which the tines are carrying at the front of the cargo. This specific design is engineered to stabilize typical lift trucks. When it comes to electric counterbalance forklifts, the battery itself forms the counterweight.
Counterbalance lift trucks can often be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are usually manufactured in a variety of configurations and sizes, using a range of fuel sources. These lift trucks can with pneumatic or solid tires. They are capable of working in various applications. These lift trucks are equipped with a variety of accessories. Common attachments and options include: hydraulic clamps, side shifts, slip sheet attachments and fork shifts just to name a few.
Counterbalance forklifts have changed the material handling business. They have become the cornerstone of storage and distribution systems where they perform stacking, loading, unloading and horizontal transport functions. The average warehouse lift trucks are usually used for lift heights under 6 meters or 20 feet. There have been some recently designed units that could lift to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 1-1.8 ton or 4000 pound forklifts are the main workhorses in most warehouses. These are the most popular models that the majority of small companies will have. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck which requires around 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.
Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily limited to the warehouse. They are usually used for container carrying and heavy use along with basically every use in between. Counterbalance lift trucks are the most widely used and versatile of all materials handling machines.
Due to their versatility and durability, counterbalance forklifts are commonplace in a huge range of working environments, including warehousing, production and retail. Some of the industrial applications include: chemical, food, automotive and timber businesses.