Since the beginning of the 20th century, Forklift Trucks have tremendously helped shape the
shipping industry, with their design and use continuously advancing over the years making them
entirely indispensable to the industry today. The use of the forklift truck ranges from not just
transporting goods at shipping docks and warehouses but also for other tasks such as clearing
snow from pathways under heavy weather conditions. The following guide for forklift trucks
assesses their history and background, mechanics, types, uses, and the necessary safety tips
surrounding their use.
What is a Forklift – A Brief History
Forklift trucks also referred to as lift trucks are essential industrial vehicles designed to transport
heavy loads from one point to the other. The forklift truck was first invented to help improve
material handling at industrial sites and since then has only advanced to further ensure efficient
and timely transportation of product and shipment.
In today’s industrialised day and age, forklift trucks perform a pivotal responsibility in enhancing
productivity via transporting goods and vehicles, managing inventory of materials and shipment
containers in storage facilities and construction sites, and providing solutions in harsh weather
conditions.
How a Forklift Works
A forklift truck has been designed to produce efficiency in almost every industry by tailoring to
their specific needs. The uses of these trucks have been identified below:
Uses of Forklift Trucks:
Storage Facilities: Forklifts used for storage purposes are built to load and unload shipment
goods in containers of specific weights and sizes according to the design of the forklift.
Construction Sites: The need for transportation of heavy construction materials such as brick
pallets and steel joists across both short and long distances is met by forklifts built for the lifting
of such tools and vehicles.
Dockyards: The carrying of bulky cargo containers after unloading from their respective delivery
trucks and transporting them to storage areas and then towards shipping is another task met by
forklift trucks that may enter areas where large vehicles may not be able to reach.
Recycling Facilities: The constant need for unloading containers from elevators, tractor-trailers,
straight trucks, and railway cars before sorting and transportation at recycling facilities has made
the use of forklifts indispensable.
Snow Ploughs: The removal of heavy snowfall is made possible by the attachments provided
with a forklift truck as it makes snow ploughing from pathways even more efficient.
Types of Forklift Trucks
Forklifts are specifically tailored for their application and environment and can be categorised
into seven classes under which each class requires certification before its use due to differences
in fuel type, functioning, features, and intended use. The seven classes include:
Class 1: Electric Motor Rider Trucks: They are electrically powered and used at loading docks,
storage facilities, and indoor spaces.
Class 2: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks: Similar to Class 1, these forklifts are manufactured
to be driven in indoor spaces such as areas with narrow aisles and vehicle size limitations.
Class 3: Electric Motor Hand or Hand-Rider Trucks: This truck includes ‘pallet jacks’
manoeuvred from the rear and used for handling materials typically residing in low-level areas.
Class 4: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Trucks With Cushion Tires: These trucks are
accompanied by tires designed for low clearance situations ideal for dry, indoor settings.
Class 5: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks with Pneumatic Tires: These trucks are used for
both indoor and outdoor spaces and are versatile in handling a variety of tasks.
Class 6: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors: Also known as tow tractors or
tuggers, Class 6 forklifts can be used for multiple settings and also have the option of switching
between combustion engines or batteries as their power source.
Class 7: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks: These forklifts are assisted by large, rugged tires,
allowing them to easily manoeuvre their way through rugged outdoor terrains typically found in
construction and agricultural settings.
Safety is Paramount
With the use of forklifts ensuring safety is vital as operating them may be hazardous if not done
with training and assistance. Some safety tips for beginners include:
- Training: Comprehensive training to obtain certification is necessary to perform the correct
and safe use of forklifts to ensure proper understanding of their functionality and safety
protocols. - Regular Maintenance: A routine maintenance to ensure smooth daily use is necessary to
avoid accidents by detecting issues and defects. - Safe Speed: Safe speed limits set should be adhered to by operators especially when
transporting heavy loads, turning, or manoeuvring in narrow or congested areas. - Load Stability: An unbalanced load may lead to accidents hence overloading to save time
should be avoided at all costs. - Pedestrian Awareness: Operators must be extremely cautious and vigilant of other workers
and pedestrians when driving a heavy-duty forklift. - Obey Signs and Markings: All traffic signs and floor markings must be followed with forklifts
only restricted to their intended lanes to ensure safe operation. - No Unauthorised Passengers: Only certified operators must be cleared to manoeuvre a
forklift. - Visibility: Clear visibility must be maintained by using mirrors and only carrying loads that are
of a reasonable height and below the driver’s eye view. - Seat Belts: Always wear seat belts while operating a forklift to protect against injuries in case
of sudden stops or tip-overs. - Emergency Procedures: All emergency procedures must be understood by operators,
especially in case of exiting a forklift.
In conclusion, forklift trucks have a versatile range of uses and can operate in multiple industrial
settings. When looking into forklifts it is essential to understand their different types, uses, and
safety procedures, especially in the case of beginners. As a renowned supplier of forklift trucks
in Pakistan, Intertrade Distributors offers a wide range of forklift trucks by different companies
such as TCM, Combilift, etc. ITD also aims to ensure that all their distributed industrial
machinery adheres to common safety standards, and also offers training services to teach your
staff about the safety practices to be followed to ensure an efficient work environment and
reduce any potential accidents or injuries.
