Understanding different types of forklifts and their applications


Forklifts are an essential equipment in material handling processes for all industries. They have a wide range of applications that make them a top investment for any company. Forklift is an automated platform truck that basically helps in carrying and moving loads that are too heavy for humans. But despite the straightforward objective, forklifts come in a variety of options, with each option serving its own unique purpose.
As important it is to buy a forklift, it’s also important to understand what kind of forklift will best suit your material handling needs.  Sure, your main objective is to get the load from A to B, but that’s not just it. There are many more requirements that need to be factored in like the width of your warehouse aisles, load type and terrain conditions. Once you’ve identified all these requirements, you can then look for a forklift that will best suit your needs and serve as a feasible option.
Here are 6 types of different forklifts;

1.       Telehandler:
A Telehandler forklift contains an extendable arm attachment and an articulating boom. It is ideally a combination of a crane and forklift and is suitable for lifting loads off the ground to higher elevations. The twin forks attached to the arm can move loads up to 5,500 pounds in weight, up to 19 feet in the air. The Telehandler makes lifting inventory into odd angles and high heights easily manoeuvrable.


2.       Counterbalance Forklift:
The counterbalance forklift is a standard warehouse forklift without any extending arms for the forward forks and the back is weighted to counterbalance the load. A counterbalance forklift is a popular option for a warehouse that needs heavy loads in tight situations where manoeuvring is necessary.
This forklift comes in 2 options; a 3-wheel variant that allows the operator to turn and manoeuvre in circles for extremely narrow aisles, and a 4-wheel variant where the back wheels are have more distance between them for spaces with moderately narrow aisles.

3.       Reach Trucks:
Reach trucks make it very easy for loads to be carried to great heights of up to 13 meters. Along with serving high-aisle set ups, a reach truck can also save space as it has narrow spacing between aisles (roughly 2.6m-3.1m).

4.       Rough Terrain
Rough Terrain forklifts are specially designed for operations in rough conditions and terrains like grainy, sand or muddy terrains. The main component that comes in a rough terrain forklift is a special suspension system, to bear all the impacts from the rough grounds.

5.       Order pickers:
Order pickers are designed to make ‘hand picking’ of goods easier for the personnel. Personnel operating the order picker themselves stand on the picker’s platform, adjusting its height and controlling it. Once the height is set, the personnel manually handle the goods to and from the stacks.

6.       Side loaders:
A side loader is a sub-variant of the conventional warehouse forklift that can drive up alongside pallet racks and can unload without having to turn. The operator is positioned in a compartment that is located in the sideways to the forklift [adjacent], making it easier to manoeuvre through tight spaces. Most forklift manufacturers in India offer side loaders in their line-up.


Linde India is a pioneer in Material handling equipment & Warehouse Equipment. Industrial trucks by Linde; whether diesel lift trucks, Electric Reach Trucks or warehouse handling equipment, stand out because of their innovative technology aimed at greater cost-effectiveness in logistics. Linde Material Handling offers expertise in material flow and carefully conceived functionality combined with maximum economy. If you are looking material handling equipment dealers or prices in India, you should definitely check out their website- lindemhe.com

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