Counterbalanced forklift trucks are great for stacking pallets

A truck frame is the basis and all other parts are attached to this. These frames vary in size depending upon the size the forklift is to be. A cab is attached and this is where the controls are and where the driver will sit. Some cabs are enclosed and others are open depending upon the style of the forklift. The mast is a vertical assembly which does the job of lifting and lowering the load. There will be a power source which usually consists of a combustion engine fuelled by diesel, gas or petrol. Electric forklifts are powered by batteries or fuel cells that run electric motors. The counterweight is a heavy cast iron object which is attached to the back of the frame. A counterweight is used to balance the machine when a load is lifted. Obviously one should never exceed the recommended weight limit or the forklift could tip over. There are a variety of fork attachments which all have different purposes and should be used in accordance with recommendations.

Counterbalanced forklifts offer several benefits over fork-over design and straddle-leg styles but as with everything, there are a few disadvantages. The main benefit of a counterbalanced forklift is that it can lift pallets directly off the floor as there are no stabilisation legs to get in the way. The downside of this type of forklift is that it will have a limited weight capacity and lift height. An electric counterbalanced forklift is the easiest one to use for stacking pallets closely together.