With the high cost of human labour prompting more and more logistics companies to seek ways of working that rely less on people, interest in automation is greater than ever at this year’s IMHX, says Event Director, Rob Fisher.
Forklift Truck, Lift truck, Reach Trucks & Accessories
A Forklift is a powered industrial truck used to lift and transport materials within manufacturing, warehousing and distribution environments. They are driver operated and there are many different specialist lift trucks available depending on the application. These range from the most common counterbalanced forklift trucks to more specialty trucks such as 3 Wheel Counterbalance Forklift Trucks, Reach Trucks, Hand Pallet Trucks, Powered Pallet Trucks, Sideloaders and Teletrucks. These lift trucks can be powered either by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
Hiab receives significant repeat order for MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts
Jul 19, 2022
Hiab, part of Cargotec, has received a significant repeat order for MOFFETT M8 55 NX truck mounted forklifts in the US. The EUR 16.8 million order was made by one of the country’s largest building materials supply companies that also placed a significant order with Hiab in Q1 2022.
Investment in automated handling and storage brings a host of benefits for UK’s largest independent wine store
Jun 20, 2022
At The Park – claimed to be the UK’s largest independent wine bottling and storage facility - the introduction of a fleet of automated reach trucks and Radioshuttle technology supplied by Toyota, has improved throughput efficiency, reduced labour costs and helped to overcome the problems associated with the increasingly difficult task of attracting and retaining qualified and proficient forklift operators and other warehouse personnel.
National Forklift Safety Day highlights the importance of Operator Training
Jun 07, 2022
As part of its continuing commitment to raising safety standards across the material handling sector, the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) - the UK trade association for manufacturers, truck users and suppliers of forklift trucks and associated components and services – is once again championing the cause of National Forklift Safety Day.
Hyster launches new flagship Hyster A series lift trucks
May 31, 2022
Hyster has launched its new Hyster A Series lift truck series, with the H2.0-3.5A internal combustion models now available.
Red giants in whisper mode
May 30, 2022
Linde Material Handling (Linde MH) now offers a new range of electrically powered heavy-duty forklift trucks with load capacities from 10 to 18 tons.
Doosan launch NXS enhanced value range of diesel forklifts
May 24, 2022
Doosan, the manufacturer of robust high performance forklift trucks, has launched the NXS Series – an enhanced value range of four-wheel diesel powered counterbalanced forklift trucks – hitting a value sweet-spot between the high-spec D25S-9, for heavy duty applications, and the economy D25NXP series for occasional users.
Toyota announce new narrow chassis and cold store reach trucks
May 23, 2022
Toyota Material Handling has announced two further additions to the BT Reflex reach truck range. Following the recent updates to the R, E and O-series of BT Reflex machines, the narrow chassis N-series - an ideal truck for confined spaces - has been further improved, while cold-store versions of the R, E and N-series are also now offered.
Toyota launches its new compact, easy-to-drive Traigo24 electric forklift
May 10, 2022
Toyota Material Handling UK has introduced its new 3-wheel electric forklift truck, the Traigo24. Designed for simple, straightforward operations in confined or tight spaces, the models range from 1 to 1.5 tonnes and are available with energy-efficient Lithium-ion power and great ergonomics for increased productivity.
Pall-Ex levels up for RoSPA Silver Award
Apr 26, 2022
Pall-Ex has continued its drive towards excellence after achieving the RoSPA Silver Award for health and safety performance.
Forklift Truck, Lift trucks, Reach Trucks.
A forklift truck is an industrial piece of equipment powered by electric, LPG, propane or diesel with a metal fork platform attached to its front. The truck is used to lift heavy loads by inserting the fork platform under cargo, pallets or containers, to move them around a manufacturing plant, industrial operation or warehouse environment for storage. The truck frame of a forklift truck forms the base for its lifting and includes wheels, counterweights, a carriage, and a mast.
Main functions of a forklift truck:
- Lifting and moving heavy loads
- Stacking and unstacking pallets
- Loading and unloading trucks
- Sorting and rearranging materials
- Picking and placing items
- Maintaining warehouse inventory
Forklift Truck Types
There are three main types of forklifts:
- Electric forklifts: These are powered by electric motors and are typically used in indoor environments. They are quiet and produce no emissions, making them a good choice for warehouses and other enclosed spaces.
- Internal combustion forklifts: These are powered by gasoline, diesel, or propane engines and are typically used in outdoor environments. They have a longer range than electric forklifts, but they are also louder and produce more emissions.
- Pedestrian-operated forklifts: These are small, lightweight forklifts that are operated by a pedestrian. They are typically used for light-duty lifting and moving tasks.
Articulated Forklift
Articulated forklift trucks are ideal for small spaces. The traditional articulated forklift is a sit-down configuration and provides the user with a narrow aisle forklift and a traditional counterbalance machine in the same unit. They provide a more cost-effective solution when it comes to maximising storage space and ergonomic operations.
Counterbalance Forklift
These are the most common forms of forklifts and come in 3 and 4 wheel models. The counterbalance forklift features two forks at the front and has the ability to drive up close to a load to pick it up and move it. They have a counterweight in the rear of the vehicle to compensate for the heavy load being lifted at the front. Counterbalance forklift trucks drive best on flat, smooth surfaces and should be used in more open spaces due to their large turning circle.
Side Loader Forklift
There are a variety of different sideloaders or forktrucks which can be powered by diesel, LPG and even propane. This is a piece of materials handling equipment designed for long loads and is ideally suited to the timber and steel industries. The operator’s cab is positioned up front on the left-hand side. The area to the right of the cab is called the bed or platform. This contains a central section within it, called the well, and the forks are built to travel perpendicular to the truck as it moves.
Reach Forklift
Reach Trucks are forklifts used in narrow aisle applications, such as warehouses, and have two outer legs to distribute the load with a set of wheels in the back located below the operator. This allows operators to navigate smaller spaces, and still be able to reach higher racking
Turret Trucks
These trucks have an articulating base that rotates the forks 180 degrees. They are fairly high cost, requiring a guidance system and are much slower than both the reach truck or articulated machines.
Swing Mast
Swing mast machines have a unique design enabling drivers to rotate the mast assembly 90° and shift left and right to pick or place loads in racks. This can be done without turning the forklift and are therefore ideal for very narrow aisles.
Rough Terrain Forklifts
Designed to be driven over uneven, rocky, and pot hold surfaces while carrying heavy loads
- Telehandler or Telescopic
- Rotating or Roto Telehandler
- Straight Mast
