Forklifts are one of the most widely used mechanical equipment in the industrial field. Whether in warehouses, factories, or construction sites, a large amount of cargo handling work requires the use of forklifts. However, there are many classifications of forklifts, and forklifts with different types and load capacities each have their own advantages. Before purchasing or renting a project, it is necessary to have a relative understanding of forklifts.

Future robots have listed 8 popular forklift classifications on the market based on different operation methods, as well as the unmanned situation of each type of forklift:

1) Pallet forklift

2) Stacking forklift

3) Counterbalanced Forklift

4) Forward moving forklift

5) Picking Forklift

6) Off road forklift

7) Heavy duty forklift

8) Telescopic forklift

1) Pallet forklift

Pallet forklifts are divided into electric pallet forklifts and manual pallet forklifts, with a general load of around 2T. They are mainly used for the transportation of goods inside and outside the production line and warehouse. Due to the lack of a lifting gantry, pallet forklifts are only used in flat handling scenarios. Although pallet forklifts cannot lift goods, the purchase and rental costs are much lower.

2) Stacking forklift

Stacking forklifts, also known as stacking forklifts, refer to wheeled handling vehicles that perform loading, unloading, stacking, and short distance transportation operations on palletized goods. The stacker truck has a gantry, but unlike other lifting forklifts, it does not have a cab, mainly for flexible handling and stacking operations.

3) Counterbalanced Forklift

One of the most widely used classifications of forklifts is the balanced forklift type. The fork of the balanced forklift is located outside the centerline of the front wheel, and its main feature is to overcome the overturning moment generated by the cargo by installing a balanced weight at the rear of the forklift. A balanced forklift equipped with pneumatic tires has a relatively fast operating speed and good climbing ability. The job scope is widely applicable to loading and unloading, stacking, and handling of finished goods within ports, stations, and enterprises. Forklifts weighing less than 3 tons can also operate in cabins, train carriages, and containers. The general lifting height is 2-4 meters.

4) Forward moving forklift

The gantry or fork of a forward moving forklift can move forward and backward, with a maximum lifting height of 11.5 meters and a load capacity range of 1-2.5 tons. It has also developed special purpose products such as multi-directional forward moving forklifts, double depth forward moving forklifts, and indoor and outdoor universal forward moving forklifts for accessing long and wide cargo, which have gradually become the main tool.

5) Picking Forklift

Picking forklifts, also known as picking forklifts, have forks and standing foot pedals installed on the inner sliding frame, which move up and down together with the loading and unloading device. The operator can act on both sides of the forklift to pick items stored on the shelves on both sides. The lifting height of the picking forklift is 4 to 6 meters,. Picking forklifts have a small turning radius and are suitable for narrow passages and high-rise shelving warehouses.

6) Off road forklift

Off road forklifts are the main category of outdoor work forklifts. Compared with industrial counterweight forklifts, off-road forklifts use inflatable tires and are suitable for outdoor construction and operations in areas with uneven surfaces, such as gravel, sand, mud, and even ice and snow covered ground. Off road forklifts have powerful engines, making them faster, more flexible, and durable. The load of off-road forklifts is generally 3-5 tons.

7) Heavy duty forklift

Heavy duty forklifts (also known as high-capacity forklifts) combine the functions of warehouse forklifts with those of telescopic forklifts, with a high load capacity and a lifting capacity of 13T-25T. Common heavy duty forklifts include heavy-duty forklifts, container front lifting forklifts, and container stackers, with a narrow range of applications, mainly concentrated in heavy industry and container terminals.

8) Telescopic forklift

Telescopic forklifts, also known as telescopic forklifts, have lifting arms and extendable arms. Connect the fork to the telescopic arm, move the 2.5 material off the ground, and lift it from a height of 6-19 meters in the air. Telescopic forklifts are very suitable for extending into narrow spaces and are widely used in factories, stations, docks, freight yards, postal and telecommunications, forests, building materials, warehouses, and other places.