A fork lift truck is an industrial tuck used for transporting and lifting various materials by means of forks which are inserted under the loads. Most frequently, these forks are made of solid steel. The most common use of the forklift is to move heavy loads stored on pallets in a quick and efficient manner. To serve this purpose, a pallet truck is probably the most popular choice. A pallet truck is a non-stacking lift truck equipped with a lifting device for raising the loads and transporting them wherever it is necessary. The typical machine is built to lift a load of up to 3300 lbs at a maximum height of 12 feet.

Each fork lift truck is designed to handle a specific amount of weight. As a consequence, many different types of fork lift trucks are currently available. In order to help customers purchase the most appropriate machine for their intended use, every truck has a rating plate attached which indicates the maximum amount of weight which can be lifted up to a certain height. It is very important to know exactly how much weight a specific type of fork lift truck can handle. Lifting smaller weights is much safer than lifting greater ones, in which case fork lift and pallet truck operators should be very cautious. When using a truck which can sustain attachments, it is important to be attentive to the rating plate that indicates the details of handling the tuck in this specific situation. Any attachment used must be previously approved for use by the specific lift truck manufacturer. Another important safety precaution to be taken is proper maintenance, as lack of repairs and protection can be the cause for serious accidents. Daily pre-shift checks should ensure that the trucks are working properly and are safe for their operators.

Most of the forklift trucks have a load capacity varying between one and five tones. However, forklifts of greater capacity have been built and are able to operate with more than 50 tones of load weight. Controlling such a machine is a highly complex task, the operator having to know precisely how to tilt the mast in order to compensate for the load’s tendency to position its blades toward the ground and possibly slide off the forks. Some forklifts are equipped with a mechanism which enables the tines to be rotated for better handling whereas others offer hydraulic control in order to move the tines together or apart. A fork lift truck with a hydraulic control system is very convenient, as it removes the need for the operator to make any manual adjustments for different sized loads. In some cases, forklift trucks are equipped with clamp attachments instead of forks. These ‘clamp attachments’ open and close around the loads and are used especially for lifting and moving boxes and cartons. When lifting large rolls, the best solution is using a long metal pole instead of the standard forks.

For transporting pallets, lattice boxes etc. from one place to another, a pallet truck is the best choice. These machines provide safe and easy handling of the pallets in a short amount of time. A pallet truck is designed to carry loads of around 4000 lbs in all kinds of environments and terrains, even corrosive atmospheres. Most pallet trucks are made from stainless steel and zinc, with chrome coated and galvanized exteriors to avoid deterioration. These trucks are frequently used in factories, warehouses, storage facilities and retail stores and a wide variety of types of pallet trucks is available. From the common low profile pallet trucks, to the ergonomic, wheel-nose or specialty categories, a wide variety of machines exists to suit all needs. Some pallet trucks are even equipped with printers, LCD monitors and keypads to ensure superior control of the various functions.

In order to choose the best lift truck or pallet truck for your needs you should know that a vast amount of configurations and options is available today for your selection, apart from the basic weight capacity and lift height. Seeking complete information before your purchase is essential to making the optimal choice and ensuring that the vehicle of your choice offers the highest safety guarantees.