Counterbalance forklifts are basically lift trucks which are engineered with counterweight at the rear of the machine. The counterweight works to balance the weight which the forks are carrying at the front of the load. This design is engineered to stabilize typical lift trucks. When it comes to electric counterbalance forklifts, the battery itself forms the counterweight.

Counterbalance forklifts could often be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are usually manufactured in a range of configurations and sizes, using a variety of fuel sources. These lift trucks could be outfitted. They are capable of working in various applications. These forklifts are outfitted with various types of accessories. Common attachments and options consist of: side shifts, hydraulic clamps, slip sheet attachments and fork shifts just to name a few.

Counterbalance forklifts have changed the material handling industry. They have become the cornerstone of storage and distribution systems where they perform stacking, loading, horizontal transport functions and unloading. The average warehouse forklifts are typically utilized for lift heights less than 20 feet or 6 meters. There have been some recently designed models that are capable of lifting to heights 31 feet or 9.5 meters. The smaller 4000 lbs. or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses in most warehouses. These are the most popular units which most small businesses will have. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is really a wide-aisle truck that needs about 3 meters or 11 feet to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are normally used for carrying containers and heavy use together with basically every use in between. Counterbalance lift trucks are the most versatile and widely utilized of all materials handling machinery.

Due to their durability and versatility, counterbalance forklifts are commonplace in a large range of working environments, including warehousing, production and retail. Several of the industrial use comprise: chemical, food, automotive and timber businesses.