Forklift models: an overview
Anyone who wants to drive a forklift must take various aspects into account. In addition to various safety precautions, there are different types of stacker that you need to know.
The stacker models in detail
Lift truck
The most well-known and frequently used stacker is the lift stacker. This has a lifting frame attached to the front Thanks to the possible attachments, the lift truck is a very versatile multipurpose vehicle.
Reach Truck
The reach truck is very different from a lift truck. Its narrow design makes it predestined for tight work spaces which is why it is often used in logistics centers or high-rack warehouses.
Sit-on stacker
The sit-on stacker takes a different approach and moves the load laterally. The space-saving design means it can be used in narrow warehouses and for long bulk goods.
Four-way side loader
The four-way side loader sets standards with respect to flexibility. Thanks to wheels that can be turned by up to 90 degrees, it can be maneuvered even in very tight spaces.
Forklift drive types
Forklifts can have combustion engines (Diesel, Gas) or electrical engines (electric). If used indoors, for example in warehouses, an electrical drive is better for ventilation reasons. However, stackers with combustion motors are suitable for outdoors because the stronger drives allow the vehicle to be driven across uneven terrain.
Differences with respect to the number of wheels
3-wheel stacker
Generally speaking, forklifts can be divided into two categories based on their number of wheels. 3-wheel forklifts are models that have two front wheels and also two rear wheels. As both rear wheels lie very close to one another, they act as a uniform rotating point. This is why it is called a 3-wheel stacker, although in fact it has four wheels. 3-wheel stackers are compact and are therefore very agile. However, the design means that they have a comparably low load-bearing capacity.
4-wheel stacker
In contrast, 4-wheel forklifts actually have four separate wheels that lend the vehicle more stability and therefore also help to ensure that larger loads can be moved. However, this means that the turning radius is much larger.
Tires
There are also clear differences with respect to the tires, although the tires can be selected flexibly with associated advantages and disadvantages. Classic pneumatic tires are very flexible and, thanks to their pressure, they ensure for lower fuel consumption. This is a shortcoming of super-elastic tires or polyurethane tires, although their damping properties and low maintenance requirements are benefits. Also, they leave little to no marks on the traffic surface.
Lift height: Lift stacker and low-platform trucks
Depending on the application field, only forklifts with a certain lifting height are suitable. A differentiation is made here between pallet-trucks and pallet-stacker. Whilst the former are usually only used to transport loads, lift stackers can lift and lower materials and goods to heights of up to six meters.
Three kinds of mast
Simplex
The pure lift height is solely defined by the mast system used on the stacker. Mast systems are differentiated into simplex, duplex or triplex systems.
Simplex systems have a single mast and a maximum lift height of around two meters.
Duplex
Duplex mast systems have much higher lift heights of up to 6 meters that is enabled by a telescopic lift system.
Triplex
Triplex masts work on an identical principle, in which three mast profiles are pushed into one another. These reach heights of up to 12.5 meters.
Other stacker models
Terrain Trucks
terrain trucks often have all-wheel drives and stand out thanks to their high ground clearance. Also, the tires are specifically designed for outdoor use. They have large tires with a deep profile or twin tires to facilitate driving on outdoor terrain.
Telescopic stacker
Telescopic arm forklifts can not only move the forks up and down on a vertical mast, they can move relatively freely in space on a telescopic arm.
Container stacker
Container handler are specifically designed for transporting shipping containers.
Reach stacker
Reach stackers are also suitable for transporting containers. They stand out thanks to a high load-bearing capacity of approx. 50t that is facilitated by a very high deadweight of approx. 100t.
Tow bar stacker
Tow bar stackers are manual stackers. This means that the operator walks behind the stacker. They are used for short transport paths.