From moving large pallets in a warehouse to shifting bulky materials in a construction yard, forklifts are one of the most effective pieces of machinery. They can do what workers can’t and can be invaluable in terms of the time and money you can save in the long-run by using them.

There’s a wide range of styles and models available on the market, and often it can be tricky to know what to choose. Whether you’re looking to hire one, buy used or buy new, it’s important to pick the right type of truck for the job. To help you out we’re breaking down 5 of the most popular types here…

Warehouse Forklift

Perhaps the most widely recognisable type, with its resemblance to a golf cart that has had twin forks fitted to it, which extend out from the front. These will often be seen operating in large facilities that store a high number of items. They are ideal for loading and unloading pallets and balanced materials. Most industrial models can lift around 5,000 lbs of weight, and those on the higher end can lift up to 25,000 lbs.

Many forklifts are essentially subtypes of the warehouse forklift…

Counterbalance Forklift

These forklifts are amongst the most popular choices for many facilities. They have forks placed at the front and a weight in the rear, which works as a counterbalance to whatever the truck happens to be lifting. The stand-up and 3-wheel variants are two of the most common types of counterbalance forklift trucks used. 

Walkie Stacker

Standing out due to their unusual appearance, this type of lift truck doesn’t have a cab. The operator actually walks behind the vehicle and uses an attached handle to steer it. They don’t have as much power, speed, or maneuverability as standard forklifts, but they are perfectly designed for situations where you need a taller pallet jack

Reach Fork Truck

Mainly utilised for operations indoors, this type of forklift is able to extend its forks beyond the compartment. As the name suggests, this extra reach allows them to reach materials in a warehouse that would be unreachable for standard lift trucks. Any operator of this type of truck will also have much better visibility thanks to the open compartment design. Their under-carriage clearance isn’t high, which makes them not very suitable for work outdoors. 

Side Loader

These are commonly found in work sites that often have to deal with heavy and bulky loads. They can move sideways in such a unique way, which allows them to easily move up alongside loads. They can then lift materials, transport them and unload them, all without turning. If a warehouse has particularly narrow aisles, or you often need to handle longer loads such as steel pipes, then this type of lift truck can be ideal.   

At H&F Lift Trucks, we’ve got all the new or used forklift models you could ask for.

Please, contact us today on 0800 298 8790 for more information.