In present-day warehouse premises two types of forklifts are currently used: forklifts with internal-combustion engines (diesel or gas/petrol) and electric forklifts using alternating-current motors.
Diesel or gas/petrol forklifts are widely used outdoors and, unlike electric forklifts, do not require any special room for regular refuel. Their weakness, especially that of diesel forklifts, is noise and running hot. Due to their exhaust emissions, diesel and gas/petrol forklifts are generally used for outdoor handling operations. When the above forklifts are used indoors, the premises shall be ventilated, and exhaust catalytic converter systems shall be installed on such forklifts.
Electric forklifts are designed for operation indoors. They operate very quietly and produce no emissions, they are energy and cost efficient and maintenance-friendly. They are well suited for transportation of food and other products indoors. Gas-petrol forklifts with 30L or 50L gas cylinders and the rated load capacity of up to 5 tons can also be used indoors.
Cargo Hauling Roure
When choosing the right forklift, it is very important to calculate the cargo hauling route: length of the route, aisle width, dimensions of racks, lifts and turnings, slopes, etc. When analyzing the route against the forklift operating conditions you can find out that it will be necessary to equip the forklift with additional options.
The key factor is to choose the right length of forks. The forks length mostly depends on the type of pallets which size is usually 700 mm to 1200 mm. Therefore, it is important to take into account the dimensions of pallets and the fact that the aisle width should not be less than the forks length.
Importance of Calculation of the Forklift Rated Load Capacity
The rated load capacity of a forklifts is its important parameter. The nominal/rated load capacity established by a producer shall be understood to mean the maximum loading weight with fixed centre of gravity required for performance by the forklift of handling operations. When selecting the rated load capacity it is important to take into account the maximum weight and dimensions of cargo, the centre of gravity, lift height, position of cargo against the lift bracket/carriage of the forklift.
All these parameters and relationship between them are specified in the manufacturer's catalogues for each particular forklift model subject to the mast type. Such parameters are used to promptly and accurately determine the residual load capacity and to select a nominal one.
As an example, the Table of load capacities (kg) for TOYOTA 8FD/FG20 forklifts (with internal combustion engines) of the normal/rated load capacity of 2000 kg is given below.
| А (мм) | 3700 | 4000 | 4300 | 4500 | 4700 | 5000 | 5500 | 6000 |
| B (мм) | 500 | 2000 | 1950 | 1900 | 1850 | 1850 | 1450 | 1200 | 850 |
| 600 | 1810 | 1760 | 1720 | 1670 | 1670 | 1310 | 1080 | 770 |
| 700 | 1650 | 1610 | 1570 | 1530 | 1530 | 1200 | 990 | 700 |
| 800 | 1520 | 1490 | 1450 | 1410 | 1410 | 1100 | 910 | 650 |
| 900 | 1410 | 1380 | 1340 | 1310 | 1310 | 1020 | 850 | 600 |
| 1000 | 1320 | 1280 | 1250 | 1220 | 1220 | 950 | 790 | 560 |
| 1100 | 1230 | 1200 | 1170 | 1140 | 1140 | 890 | 740 | 520 |
| 1200 | 1160 | 1130 | 1100 | 1070 | 1070 | 840 | 690 | 490 |
| 1300 | 1090 | 1070 | 1040 | 1010 | 1010 | 790 | 650 | 460 |
Calculation of the residual load capacity of the forklifts with attachments (drum clamps, paper roll clamps, etc.) is made with due account for the weight and dimension parameters of such attachments.
Moreover, when choosing the forklift load capacity it will be necessary to take account of the basic characteristics of the racking equipment in the warehouse room where the forklift will be used. In this case the most common errors and mistakes occur due to design features of the racking equipment for cargo on Euro-pallets. The racking equipment design often provides for the width of 1200 mm (without flooring).
In this case standard Euro-pallets with the dimensions of 800 mm x 1200 mm and 1000 mm x 1200 mm will be placed on the racking equipment along the long side. So, one and the same cargo has two different load centers depending on whether it is placed on the long or short side of the lift bracket, and therefore one and the same forklift model has two different values of the residual load capacity.