Forklifts are the backbone of many industries, streamlining warehouse operations, construction sites and production lines. They come in a surprising variety, each designed to tackle specific material handling challenges.
Whether you need to load and unload trucks, navigate narrow warehouse aisles, operate on rugged outdoor terrain or stack cargo onto high racks, there’s a forklift purpose-built for the job. Choosing the right forklift type is crucial for productivity, safety and total cost of ownership.
TAG Forklifts, the North West’s leading supplier of forklift trucks and materials handling equipment for hire, sale and service, can expertly guide you toward the ideal solution for your requirements. Here, we explore the most common types of forklifts, their strengths, and their ideal applications.
Counterbalance Forklifts
One of the most ubiquitous and recognisable types is the counterbalance forklift. These powerful trucks feature a weighted counterbalance body extending out behind the rear wheels to offset heavy loads carried by the forks.
You can purchase or hire electric or internal combustion engine options:
- Diesel forklifts are best suited for outdoor use.
- Electric forklifts work both indoors and outdoors. Plus, they produce minimal emissions, so they’re a great choice if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.
Additionally, counterbalance forklifts are available in three or four-wheel models with either cushion or pneumatic tyres. Their strong masts can lift extremely heavy loads while remaining stable during travel.
Warehouse Forklifts
Compact and highly manoeuvrable, warehouse forklifts excel at operating in tighter indoor spaces. More specialised models include:
- Reach trucks – These articulated forklifts can lift pallets higher and place loads deeper into warehouse racks than standard trucks. Their outriggers provide stability at height.
- Order pickers – Designed for efficient order picking and putaway tasks, order picker trucks feature a rising operator platform enabling pickers to work at rack level.
- Narrow aisle forklifts – Crucial for maximising available space, narrow aisle forklifts have a condensed chassis built to operate in very tight aisles as little as 6ft wide.
Rough Terrain Forklifts
Also called masted rough terrain vehicles, these heavy-duty workhorses are designed to traverse unpaved, rutted worksites like construction zones and outdoor lumber yards. Their rugged build, high ground clearance and pneumatic tyres provide all-terrain mobility. Rough terrain forklifts are powered by diesel or gas engines.
Telescopic Handlers
Similar in concept to rough terrain forklifts, telescopic handlers or telehandlers feature an extending boom arm capable of reaching incredible heights. Sturdy four-wheel or track bases stabilise the machine while lifting hefty loads.
These versatile vehicles find use cases across construction, agriculture, landscaping and industrial sectors to access hard-to-reach areas and suspend loads over obstacles.
Side Loaders
Side loaders are the specialty truck of choice for efficiently handling extra-long loads like piping, poles, timber, or other bulky items in confined areas. Horizontal double forks protrude from the side instead of the front or rear, enabling operators to position lengthy loads precisely. Truck models include straddle side loaders, non-straddle side loaders and intermodal handlers.
Pallet Trucks
While not technically forklifts, pallet jacks and trucks are essential in materials handling. These affordable units feature short forks that are ideal for moving, raising and positioning pallets at short distances across flat, level surfaces.
Manually propelled, semi-electric and fully powered models are available. Motors enable traversing gradual ramps or inclines while lifting heavy pallet loads. Three and four-wheel sit-down models provide greater comfort and ease of use over longer travel routes.
Selecting the Right Forklift Type for Your Application
With so many diverse forklift types available, it’s critically important to define your specific requirements and choose the most suitable model:
- Outdoor vs. indoor use – Do you need a gas or diesel forklift for outdoor power or an electric one for clean indoor air?
- Lifting capacity – How high and heavy will your heaviest loads be? Choose a forklift that can handle it.
- Terrain – Are you working on smooth floors or rough terrain? Pick the right forklift tyre type for the job.
- Manoeuvrability – How wide are your aisles and doorways? Don’t get a forklift that’s too big to fit.
- Power source – Do you need a forklift that can run continuously, or are emissions a bigger concern?
- Future needs – Is your business growing? Consider a forklift that can handle future expansion.
At TAG Forklifts, our specialists can expertly evaluate your unique materials handling needs and guide you in selecting the optimal lift truck for safe, productive performance across any application or industry.
Not Your Type? Finding the Ideal Forklift Truck
There are numerous forklift models designed for different roles, load capacities and working environments. We recommend consulting with an experienced materials handling professional to ensure you select the best possible truck for maximising productivity, safety and cost-effectiveness for your specific application.
Conquering Different Forklift Types with TAG
TAG Forklifts is the leading supplier of new and used forklifts across the North West. From counterbalance forklifts to reach forklift trucks, TAG Forklifts has your business covered. Our knowledgeable team can also provide operator training to maximise safety and efficiency with your new equipment.
Get in touch today to discuss your forklift needs with our specialists.
