The industrial world, whether large or small, must be familiar with material handling equipment. One of them is a forklift. A forklift is a vehicle that functions as a tool for moving goods with a large load. This large vehicle is quite practical to use to support the production process or transfer of goods in the warehouse.
In each warehouse of the company, there are usually forklifts for the mobilization of goods. Forklifts can lift tens to hundreds of kilograms of object weight with the help of two forks made of the ferrous metal base material.
What Is A Forklift
A forklift is a kind of truck that is operated to lift, move, and unload heavy goods from one place to another. A lifted object is an object that is difficult or too heavy for humans to lift. Forklift operations can be done indoors or outdoors such as loading and unloading goods at ports, warehouses, factories, expeditions, supermarkets, and much more of course.
The existence of forklifts can increase effectiveness and efficiency in operational activities. The use of forklifts can also ease the burden on employees, especially in terms of moving goods. Well, please note, currently, there are various types of forklifts based on their functions. Come on, see what are the types of forklifts that are commonly used.
Types and Functions of Forklifts
The design of the forklift is compatible, making this multimodal transportation able to ease the work in a company and industry. There are four types of forklifts on the market, namely Diesel Forklifts, Gasoline Forklifts, Electric Forklifts, and Reach Truck Forklifts.
By Market:
1. Diesel Forklift
First, there is a modern forklift called a diesel forklift. This type is sophisticated and has the best quality. This tool serves to transport and carry out the loading and unloading of production goods.
The performance of diesel forklifts is higher than other types of forklifts. Not only that but there is also less fuel needed. Of course, it will save more on fuel expenditure. Diesel forklifts are very suitable for use in various outdoor activities. That's because the shape of this forklift is very possible to operate in an open space.
This tool is perfect for those of you who need to move large-capacity goods outdoors. The capacity of diesel forklifts has from one to thirty tons. While the lifting height is up to 6 meters.
2. LPG/Gasoline Forklift
This type of forklift has a capacity of up to 10 tons. While the lifting height reaches 2 meters. The function of this forklift is to unload or move goods and arrange them at a high level. This type of forklift is highly recommended for the mobility of goods outdoors.
3. Electric Forklift
This electric forklift is designed for the transfer of large-capacity goods, its use is very suitable both indoors and outdoors. In terms of capacity, this type of forklift is quite large compared to reach trucks. For its capacity starts from 8 tons with a lifting height of up to 6 meters.
Electric forklifts are very suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry because they do not emit harmful fumes. This is because electric forklifts use batteries as their energy source.
4. Forklift Reach Truck
A forklift reach truck is a forklift that has a capacity of up to 2 tons with a lifting height of up to 11 meters. This type of forklift is used to move production goods with a large capacity, usually to be laid out on high shelves.
Not only that, but the reach truck also has a slim body. That way, this type of forklift can maneuver even in narrow places. Looking at its characteristics, the forklift reach truck will be very suitable if used in a warehouse.
Not only the types of forklifts on the market that you should know. There are still types of forklift transmissions that you should know before you buy a forklift for your company's needs. Here are two types of forklift transmissions.
Based on the Transmission:
1. Automatic Transmission Forklift
An automatic transmission forklift or automatic forklift is a type of forklift that is very easy to operate than a manual forklift. The difference between these two forklifts lies in the handle lever.
Automatic forklifts only have 3 parts of the handle lever, namely, up and down the elevator, back and forth, and tilt mast. The bottom pedal on the automatic forklift functions as a brake. If you want to operate this forklift, you only need to move the road handle forward or backward and then step on the gas or brakes to operate the forklift, just like an automatic car.
2. Manual Forklift Transmission
Manual transmission forklifts or manual forklifts have a more difficult way of operating than automatic forklifts. The operation of a manual forklift is almost the same as a car in general which has a gas pedal, clutch, and brakes. On manual forklifts, there is no back-and-forth handle lever. Manual forklifts have up and down the gear and handle levers as well as tilt masts.
Forklift Parts
Knowing the parts of the forklift will make it easier for you to detect damage that occurs to forklift spare parts. For that, you need to know the parts of the forklift and its functions.
1. Fork
Forks are the main part of forklifts. This part has the function of supporting and carrying goods and lifting them. The fork is made of long and straight iron. The length of the fork has a standard of 1070 mm or 1.07 m. However, this section can be added with a fork extension if you want a longer fork.
Before you use a forklift, you need to make sure of the width, dimensions, and weight capacity of the load being lifted. After that place, the load on top of the fork and set the width of the fork so that the load being lifted or moved is safe.
2. Mast
One of the most important and main parts of a forklift is the mast. The mast on a forklift is a part that acts as the fulcrum of the forklift. The mast is made of two thick irons with hydraulic components in between. The hydraulic function of the mast is to raise or lower the goods located on the fork.
3. Carriage
The carriage on the forklift serves to connect the fork with the forklift mast. In addition, the carriage serves as a security backing for goods on top mast lifting.
4. Overhead Guard/Canopy
The overhead guard or what is often referred to as a forklift canopy is one of the forklift components whose function is to protect the operator when operating the forklift in its work. In addition, the existence of this overhead guard keeps the operator from falling goods directly from a height. Overhead guards can also protect the operator from the scorching sun and rain.
5. Counterweight
The counterweight is one of the forklift parts that function as a balancer for the load being lifted. The counterweight is located at the back of the forklift. The main purpose of counterweighting on forklifts is to maintain the balance of the forklift when lifting heavy items.
Things to Know Before Using a Forklift
To be able to use a forklift, there are several things that the forklift operator must know. Arbitrary?
1. Know the common hazards that may occur when operating the forklift.
2. Pay attention to the maximum weight limit that has been set by the forklift you are using.
3. Try that the terrain to be traversed is not bumpy and there are no obstacles or disturbances of other hard objects when moving goods.
4. It is important for the operator to know the position of the fork when passing through the terrain, unloading the goods, and when raising the goods.
5. Know with certainty the age and condition of the forklift device you are using.
6. Make sure that the safety equipment on the forklift is available.
7. Try to keep the forklift position and condition safe when lifting loads that can cover the operator's sight.
Those are the things about forklifts that you need to know before you buy or operate them. The existence of information about the types of forklifts and spare parts above will certainly help you in choosing the type of forklift that is suitable for your company's needs.