Which forklift to choose for your warehouse?

Forklifts are handling machines that speed up the flow of palletized goods in warehouses .Forklifts, for many companies, are essential equipment for their logistics. These handling machines, of different shapes and weights. It streamline the flow of palatalized goods between the different areas of the warehouse( forklift for warehouse).

Although the first models of forklifts date back to the middle of the 19th century (based on hoist technology).  It was not until the end of the First World War that the first models comparable to those we know today. In 1923, the first model of this vehicle was created at Yale (USA).  Working on hydraulic power, equipped with a cabin for the operator, forks and a mast.

Choosing a forklift: what criteria to take into account?

The choice of a forklift depends on many criteria.  Because each one is adapted to a warehouse or a type of installation. Other factors to consider include the type of propulsion (internal combustion such as diesel, petrol or gas, or electric such as lead acid or lithium batteries). This is a particularly important factor as it determines the ability of the forklift to operate in the facility.  Electric motor forklifts are mainly used indoors, to avoid exposure of operators and goods to gases from combustion. Click here to repair Forklift in Houston Tx

When choosing a forklift, the distribution (layout) of the warehouse must be taken into account. The arrangement of the storage systems in the installation and the width of the aisles, among others. To put it simply, it is normal for an aisle to be between 3200 and 3500 mm wide for a counterbalanced truck. The margin of the working aisle determines the choice of forklift model.  Depending on the type of mast: three-way trucks, for example, do not need to turn inside the aisle.  Since they access to the goods both from the front and by rotating the forks in both directions.

The height of the forklift will depend on the characteristics of the shelving installed.  The weight of the goods, because not all machines have the same lifting capacities. The manufacturer indicates the maximum authorized weight for each model of forklift.

Forklifts depending on the type of warehouse:

The type of forklift that operates in a warehouse depends on the storage systems chosen.  The distribution of aisles and the load to be handled, among other factors. There are different types, depending on their structure and function (retractable mast, counterweight or three-way, for example). Here is a summary of the main trolley models, grouped according to the type of warehouse.

Counterbalanced forklifts in traditional warehouses:

The counterbalanced forklift is the most common due to its great versatility. It can be used to load and unload goods from trucks.  Deposit or extract products from a rack or even boost internal goods flows. Although it is used with all types of storage systems.  Its most obvious use is in warehouses equipped with conventional pallet racking.

Reach Trucks in Highly Homogeneous Goods Warehouses:

In warehouses storing homogeneous goods, drive-in pallet racking is generally used, the main feature of which is that forklifts enter and circulate inside the rack itself. For this reason, the use of reach trucks is often recommended, as their seat promotes driver visibility when reversing. Read More about the website here

Three-way trucks in warehouses equipped with compact shelving for heterogeneous goods
In facilities where a wide variety of goods are handled, while optimizing space (for example, in freezer rooms), it is common to install mobile pallet racking, which compacts the goods but allows easy access directly to each pallet.