A fork lift truck is a machine used to lift and transport palletized loads in warehouses, retail stores and construction sites. Lift trucks come in many different types, sizes and capacities. From motorized drive to manual drive, everything is available. There are many things to consider when buying a fork lift truck. The most important aspects to be taken into consideration are capacity, safety and whether an electrical forklift or a traditional engine vehicle is more suitable.

A better understanding of the essential components of a fork lift truck is important when choosing what features are right for you. The truck can be equipped with wheels or tracks and can be powered by means of an electric engine or a traditional motor running on fuel. The process of handling the load is accomplished with the help of the mast: a vertical assembly raises, lowers and tilts the load. A number of metal forks engage the weight. The vertical part of the fork becomes attached to the carriage (a flat metal plate) whereas the horizontal portion is placed under the load. Human operated lift trucks are equipped with an overhead guard to make sure the driver is kept safe from any falling objects. Some machines have a counterweight which consists in a heavy iron weight attached to the back of the truck to prevent tilting.

Apart from the basic components common to all types of forklifts, some vehicles are equipped with attachments so that the truck can handle a specific category of materials. For example, special tools can be attached to the machine in order to pick up rolls of cable or steel or even carpet rolls. Flat panels can be added for lifting loads that don't consist of pallets or tongs. They can be attached for handling 50 gallon drums.

Currently there are eight main categories of forklifts to choose from. The first category consists in the electric motor rider lift trucks. These trucks usually require the use of counterweights and cushion or pneumatic wheels. The second type of forklifts includes the electric motor trucks for narrow aisles. A plus for the trucks in this category is that they are designed to maneuver in tight places and reach objects high up. A class three fork lift truck is also equipped with an engine and can either be a walk-behind truck or a rider operated vehicle. Forklifts of the fourth category are powered by means of an internal combustion engine and have cushion or solid tires. The fifth class includes forklifts also with internal combustion engines, a sit-down rider cabin and counterbalance. Trucks in the seventh category are designed for outdoors use, especially rough terrain. Last but not least, the number eight category is made up of personnel and burden carrier fork lift trucks.

Safety is a very significant issue when talking about lift trucks. It's crucial that the truck driver is properly trained before handling any kind of fork lift truck. Statistics of the American Bureau of Labor reveal that approximately 100 workers are killed due to mishandling and another 20,000 are seriously injured every year. The vast majority of the accidents occur because of forklift overturns or workers being struck by a forklift. Some other main reasons for fatalities include employees being crushed by the machines or drivers falling from the forklifts. In order to prevent such accidents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration adopts drastic measures against the companies or individuals who fail to obey the safety regulations or are careless when it comes to providing a safe workplace. All forklifts are equipped with the basic safety features: flashing amber lights, headlights and back-up beepers. Some safety features are only common to certain categories of trucks. For example, seat belts are a must on sit-down vehicles and so called dead-man pedals are mandatory for stand-up vehicles. New safety features are being developed as we speak as science is continuously progressing. Some trucks are equipped with automatic speed controls which reduce speed depending on the steering angle and the load height.

A fork lift truck is a very complex machine which has to be handled with extreme caution. If you consider purchasing one or more lift trucks you ought to bear in mind that there are many categories to choose from so that you are able to find the truck that best fits your requirements.