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Forklifts in South Africa: Different Types and Their Uses

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There are many different types of forklifts in South Africa, each with its own specific use and purpose. If you’re looking to buy a forklift, knowing the different types available will help you narrow down your choices and determine which one best suits your needs. Here are the most common types of forklifts in South Africa and what they’re used for.

Order Pickers

As their name suggests, order pickers are designed to pick a variety of orders. Order pickers feature a durable construction designed to withstand heavy use. If you run an online business, order pickers are especially helpful because they can be used to move large packages off your loading dock directly into trucks or freight containers. Since order pickers have large carrying capacities, they’re well-suited for businesses with high shipping volumes. In addition, order pickers are also frequently used for storing inventory within a facility or moving pallets from storage areas to manufacturing lines. You’ll find that many warehouse equipment manufacturers offer variations on this forklift model; some come with built-in shelving systems to allow them to be used as mobile storage carts.

Lifting Trolleys

Trolleys are designed for lifting loads. They are available with several different types of fork attachments, including pallet forks, low-lift forks, straddle forks, rough terrain forks and telescopic handlers. If you need to lift both heavy loads and large or bulky items at once, lifting trolleys are an excellent choice. When purchasing a lifting trolley, be sure to determine whether you need one that can transport loads horizontally or vertically—these tend to come with different attachments.

Reach Stackers with Adjustable Forks

Reach stackers are forklift trucks with adjustable forks. They can be used to handle different types of material on a single lift, eliminating time wasted traveling back and forth between sites or processes. A reach stacker can also lift more than one box simultaneously, meaning that they have a higher productivity level than other kinds of forklift trucks. Reach stackers are often seen at large retail outlets where pallets must be moved around quickly – especially when very heavy boxes need to be lifted onto shelves. They’re also used in smaller companies that use pallet racking for shelving.

Reach Stackers with Telescopic Forks

Reach stackers are one of the most common types of forklift in operation throughout all of South Africa. The telescopic forks on a reach stacker are specially designed to pick up pallets that measure two metres high and two metres wide, which is often enough to reach any other type of container. These types of forklifts can lift a maximum weight load ranging from one tonne to 12 tonnes, depending on how you configure them. This type of forklift also comes with a rotating mast, which allows it to turn 180 degrees as needed so that you can move pallets along narrow aisles.

4 Wheel Counterbalance

This is what most people think of when they imagine a forklift. These vehicles can lift heavy loads up to six tons and are considered heavy-duty forklifts. They are specifically designed for lifting heavy items because they’re built with extra safety features, such as rollover protection beams and brakes. They’re also harder to maneuver than other types of forklifts, so you may want to hire an operator if you plan on purchasing one. If not, consider looking at a two-wheel-drive or three-wheel variant instead. They’re lighter, easier to operate and less expensive.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs are widely used throughout warehouses because they are safe, efficient and flexible. AGVs transport material throughout warehouse aisles using sensor-based controls to maintain programmed speed, direction and travel path. They allow for speeds of up to 30 kph so that operators can spend more time moving materials (and less time driving). They also increase efficiency by communicating with warehouse management systems (WMS) or enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) to avoid interference with humans or other AGVs. Because they avoid turns whenever possible and have inflexible routes based on predetermined paths defined by their sensors, AGVs require very little space along aisles to operate effectively.

Rough Terrain Forklifts

Before deciding to purchase a rough terrain forklift, it’s important to understand what makes them different from a standard forklift. Rough terrain forklifts are specifically designed for use on uneven surfaces or where there are obstacles such as rocks or trees that may get in their way. Some of these include three-wheel drive, hydraulic surge brakes and an elevated front wheel. If you have any doubt about your current equipment being able to handle whatever type of environment you find yourself working within, then we suggest investing in a rough terrain forklift. This will allow you to transport your load safely and efficiently no matter what type of terrain you find yourself working within.

Power Pallet Trucks

These trucks can move pallets quickly and easily, making them ideal for large warehouses. Since these trucks have a powerful engine, they are larger than a hand truck or dolly. They are usually mounted on wheels to allow for ease of movement around your warehouse. Pallet trucks can carry up to 5 tonnes at once with their forklift. This makes them very effective when it comes to moving products from one area of your warehouse to another efficiently. Pallet trucks are relatively easy to operate compared to other types of forklifts because they require less operator attention as opposed to more automated models that need continual operation by an operator as you drive around.

Gas-Powered Forklifts

Gas-powered forklifts are typically more expensive than electric forklifts, but they have lower operating costs because they don’t require any maintenance or refuelling. The up-front costs of gas forklifts may be prohibitive for small businesses, but their higher durability and lower operating costs make them a more cost-effective option as a business grows. Gas-powered forklifts also tend to be more powerful than electric lift trucks, which makes them ideal for heavy loads. Finally, gas-powered lift trucks have better control options compared to their electric counterparts—which is helpful when driving on uneven terrain or steering heavier loads through tighter spaces.

Electric Forklifts

An electric forklift, also known as an electro-pneumatic forklift, uses electricity to power its battery. Electric forklifts can carry heavier loads than pneumatic lift trucks, as well as travel over longer distances on one battery charge. They have very few moving parts, which makes them easy to maintain. The downside is that they’re expensive to purchase compared with other types of forklifts; most people rent them instead of purchasing them outright. The positive aspect is that they only use electricity when in operation; so even if you’re moving pallets around a storage facility during off-hours, your warehouse will still pay only for standby energy costs rather than utility costs.

Value Forklifts Has a Forklift for Your Needs

As you can imagine, there are many different types of forklifts available on today’s market. If you have no idea what features to look for or why you need a certain type of forklift over another, Value Forklifts can help. A full-service supplier of new forklift sales, rental services, parts and more, Value Forklifts has everything you need to know about buying or renting the right forklift for your needs.

This article was first published at https://topclickblogs.co.za/forklifts-in-south-africa-different-types-and-their-uses/

forklift hire. Photographer: own supplied

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.