Joanna James
Be it a warehouse, factory floor or a fully-fledged manufacturing facility — not a day goes by without the array of industrial trucks contributing to the operations. Discover which industrial trucks and machinery are essential for your operation and how they differ in functionality from each other.
The small industrial vehicle at every warehouse and storage facility needs no introduction to anyone in the warehousing and storage business. The power-operated forked platform of a forklift is the primary component of the truck, which is used to lift and move goods on a pallet. It is an indispensable piece of machinery at every warehouse, storage facility and distribution centre for the internal movement of materials. All forklifts come in two main designs, where one allows the driver to be seated while operating the machine, while the other requires the driver to be standing.
For the layman, a pallet jack could be best described as the most basic type of forklift, but the two are never the same. For starters, forklifts have a heavy counterweight at the rear to balance the load on the forks, while pallet jacks support the load on the wheels at both ends of the machine. Moreover, forklifts are much bigger and allow for lifting heavier loads and moving more materials at one time than a pallet jack could. In fact, it is rather illogical to compare the two against each other and have their own functionality in warehouse operations.
The main factor that sets reach trucks apart from normal forklifts is that while forklifts are typically used for lifting and moving heavy materials in a warehouse setting, reach trucks are better suited for lifting lighter materials but to much higher elevations. Moreover, reach trucks also tend to perform better in narrow aisle applications than forklifts. It's crucial to note that solid forklift tires, such as those provided by reputable manufacturers like GRI Tires, are essential components for all forklift types, including reach trucks. Regular inspections of these tires are necessary to ensure both safety and optimal performance.
In essence, Order Pickers operate akin to elevators, facilitating warehouse employees in reaching orders stored on elevated shelves beyond their grasp. Although various types of order pickers exist, offering diverse load capacities and elevation capabilities, a typical model can bear approximately 3,000 pounds and ascend up to 32 feet. Advanced variants of high-level order pickers on the market boast enhanced loading capacities and elevation capabilities.
Side loaders or side loader forklifts are also a type of forklift, precisely, an advanced version of the regular forklift that enables lifting and transporting long and wide loads efficiently in tight spaces. The distinctive design of side loaders, where the forks are on the side, contrary to being situated in the front as in regular forklifts, allows for increased manoeuvrability and, hence, more efficiency.
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