Forklifts are an essential part of an operational warehouse as they make moving heavy loads super easy, efficient, and fast.
There are different forklift types, and if you want your operations to run smoothly and efficiently, you need to choose the right one. Choosing the right forklift type may seem like a daunting task, especially because most of them look so much alike, it’s hard to tell the difference.
Usually, the difference is in the features and functionality.
If you’re looking for the most ideal forklift for your operations, our guide covers all the different forklift types, their features, and all functionalities. We hope this information will help you make an informed decision.
The Warehouse Forklift
The warehouse forklift, is by far, the most popular and most used forklift in most industries.
This forklift type is usually associated with warehouse motive power equipment and contains two forks that extend in the front. These forks are used to carry heavy loads, and they are the perfect choice for busy warehouses with a lot of inventory to load and unload from delivery vehicles.
Most warehouse forklifts are designed to carry as much as 3,000 kgs, but the weight will vary with the forklift model.
There are two types of warehouse forklifts, which are counterbalance forklift and sideloader. When renting a warehouse forklift from a forklift rental company, you should be sure about the type you’re getting.
The Sideloader Forklift
The side loader forklift type is a subtype of the warehouse forklift, and just as the name suggests, the side loader can load from the side without having to turn.
It’s convenient for narrow areas where a front loader would have a hard time turning when loading. It’s also ideal for carrying long loads, like long pipes.
The Counterbalance Forklift
This is the other warehouse forklift subtype. It looks just like a regular forklift, but it doesn’t come with the extension arms for the forward forks. The back is designed with much weight to counterbalance the load in front.
It features three wheels that allow it to turn conveniently, and turn whenever necessary without much effort. Beyond that, it comes with a stand-up forklift, which means that an operator can hop on and off the truck between loads.
The Telehandler Forklift
The telehandler forklift types come with an articulating boom and an arm attachment. It is the most ideal forklift if you need to lift loads off the ground to very high elevations. With twin forks attached to the arms, for instance, can lift inventory or pellets of 3000kgs, up to 19 feet or more in the air.
Beyond that, you can list loads into odd angles easily without maneuvering trouble. These forklift types are also known as telescopic forklifts.
The Industrial Forklift
These forklift types are also known as the large capacity forklifts, and are essential for warehouses with heavy loads.
It’s a combination of a warehouse and telehandler forklift, and it’s designed to lift loads higher than the warehouse forklift and can carry loads as heavy as 13,000kgs or more. You should check the weight load capacity while shopping for your industrial forklift.
Rough Terrain Forklift
If you’re looking to carry loads in rough terrains, in the outdoors, then a rough terrain forklift is the ideal choice. It’s most suitable for uneven grounds as it features sturdy pneumatic tires, which are usually threaded and are extra large for better stability on rocky places.
Rough terrain forklifts are also known as straight mast forklifts and are most suitable for construction sites, and other outdoor applications.
The Pallet Jack Forklift
Also known as pump trucks, pallet jacks are smaller in size compared to most other types of forklifts.
They are ideal for delivering small loads in tight places, and they are much cheaper to purchase as well. Pallet jacks can be powered electrically or manually, and the choice is completely up to you, depending on your needs. However, this is not something you can use to carry heavy loads.
Walkie Stacker Forklifts
Walkie stackers are designed a bit differently. The operator walks behind it and steers it through an attached handle. They come with limited speed and power, but can also reach high heights for stacking.
The walkie stacker has a subtype, which is known as the order picker forklift.
This type of forklift is designed to pick and deliver units, and they reach as high as 32 feet in the air. Order pickers are ideal for picking individual packages for customers or a few units at a time instead of full pallets.
Reach Forktrucks
Reach forklifts are primarily indoor trucks and are most ideal for reaching very high racks.
They feature forward extending forks and stabilized wheels that allow it to reach racks that would be too high for a regular forklift. If you need a precise machine that will offer efficiency pallet packing, this is the ideal type of forklift for you. However, it features an undercarriage, which makes it unsuitable for outdoor use.
Forklift Classification
Forklift classifications regard the use and fuel options of the forklifts. There are seven classes, which are listed below.
The first class is the electric motor ride truck, which is electric and is ideal for indoor settings. The second class is the electric motor narrow aisle truck, which uses a battery, and is ideal for moving inventory in tight or narrow spaces.
The third class is the electric motor hand truck, which also uses a battery and is ideal for uploading trucks fast across short distances.
The fourth class is the internal combustion engine with cushion tires, which uses either gas or diesel, and is ideal for low clearance. The fifth class is the internal combustion engine truck with pneumatic tires, which uses gas or diesel and is ideal for rough terrain, whether indoor or outdoor.
The sixth class is the electric and internal combustion engine tractor, which uses either gas or diesel, and is ideal for towing or hauling loads.
The last class is the rough terrain forklift, which uses either gas or diesel and is most suitable for uneven ground and high elevation lifting.
Different Forklift Types for Different Operations
As you can see, there’s a wide selection of forklift types to choose from. However, now that you know what each type is used for or what it’s most ideal for, you can choose one depending on your needs.
Forklifts are an interesting topic, and if you need to know more about them, and anything else auto or motor, please feel free to check out more of our website where we have more intriguing information!
