There are many types of forklifts, and you can use them for different work environments and tasks. To help you understand the variants, here’s an introduction to the different types of forklifts, along with a brief discussion of the functions they’re best suited for.
Warehouse Forklift
The warehouse forklift is the easiest one to recognize. It resembles a golf car with twin forks extending from the vehicle’s front, generally used in facilities with an inventory.
The warehouse forklift is the beginning of our introduction to some different forklift types. They’re great for loading and unloading pallets, offering enough precision to balance materials in a warehouse environment. They also come in handy when moving items from delivery vehicles and transporting them to just about any location within a warehouse.
Side Loader
You can find the side loader in steel service centers. These incredible machines handle heavy, bulky items in manufacturing facilities. Their name partially explains how you operate them: The operator stands in a sideways compartment, which allows the side loader to unload objects on its side.
Side loaders are easy to maneuver, making them ideal for facilities with narrow aisles and numerous racks. You can often see them used for timber and pipes, so they’re a staple for many industries.
Counterbalance Forklift
This type of forklift features the standard forks in the front of the vehicle but has a weight in the back to help balance out the bulk of each load. It’s also important to note that they lack extending arms.
Telehandler
Many use telehandlers in construction, also known as telescopic or reach forklifts. They come with a boom and an extendable arm, meaning they can do double duty, acting as a crane and forklift combination.
They’re also powerful; the standard telehandler can lift almost three tons of material up to 19 feet in the air. They also excel when fitting into tight spaces and odd angles.
Rough Terrain Forklift
Rough terrain forklifts, also known as straight mast forklifts, work well for outdoor job sites. They have pneumatic tires that allow them to navigate uneven surfaces, and the oversized, treaded tires help with balance and stability while transporting different materials.
You’ll rarely see the rough terrain forklift used indoors, but they’re a staple at most construction sites, and you’ll see them in other outdoor applications as well. The rough terrain forklift has many benefits for construction sites or loading zones.
When working on your certification, don’t forget our introduction to standard machinery you’ll see around different industrial environments. Keep each machine in mind and learn more about each one as you prepare for your accreditation.
