Types of Forklift Trucks Available for Hire

Many people know they need forklifts for their construction projects, warehouses or commercial premises. However, they may not know what is the best type of lifting equipment for their needs.

Forklift truck hire offers multiple types of forklifts to suit many different applications. Here are the most common types of forklifts that you should be aware of.

Counterbalance forklift trucks

Counterbalance forklifts are the most common type of truck used and obtained through forklift truck hire. The design of these forklifts consists of a 4-legged machine that has two forks protruding from the front of the truck. The forks raise straight upwards and downwards and are ideal for lifting items vertically across the site.

These forklifts get their name from the presence of a counterweight that is placed at the back of the truck. When a load is lifted from the front via the forks, its weight is balanced by the rear end of the truck so that the entire machine remains stable. Electronic forklifts may not require the counterweight design because the battery offers the necessary lifting power.

3 wheel forklift trucks

To allow for increased maneuvering on site, 3 wheel forklift trucks were designed. They work in much the same way as the counterbalance trucks, only that they have a 3-wheel design instead of 4 wheels. The single wheel at the rear end of the forklift makes it easier for the forklift driver to operate the truck and access tight spaces.

Warehouse personnel looking for forklift truck hire are finding the 3 wheel forklift trucks a popular option for smaller warehouses.

Reach trucks

Specifically suited for warehouse operation, reach trucks offer users a high level of flexibility. A reach truck consists of a machine that has arms that can extend vertically and horizontally into right spaces. They are used in warehouses to access items in shelves that may be tough to access under normal circumstances.

Rather than using a counterweight balance design, they use a battery-powered mechanism that provides enough force to lift items to the required height. Most reach trucks are narrow but can extend upwards multiple feet into the air.

Pump Trucks

Also referred to as hand pallet trucks, these forklifts are simple hand-operated machines. They are suited for lifting pallets and they work by the user pumping the handle of the machine to raise the forks off the ground. They use a hydraulic force to lift heavy items and to transport them on site.

Forklift truck hire offers pump trucks at affordable rental prices due to their convenience.

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Heavy Construction Equipment Blog: Safety, Operation and Hire Tips

Welcome to my blog. My name is Tommy, and I learned how to drive a back hoe before I could drive a car. Now, I work in finance but still adore heavy construction equipment so I decided to start this blog. Before you start reading, let me introduce myself. I am a 34 year old who moved to the city to attend uni 15 years ago. I always thought I would return to a small town but fell in love and have never left the city. I have two sons, and I love surfing, fishing and spending time with them.