The counterbalanced forklift is a lift truck which utilizes a counter balance that is attached to the back end of the equipment. This counterbalance effectively balances loads that are positioned on the tines at the front end of the equipment. This specific design is engineered to stabilize typical forklifts. When it comes to electric counterbalance forklifts, the battery itself forms the counterweight.

Counterbalance lift trucks can often be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are normally manufactured in a variety of sizes and configurations, utilizing a range of fuel sources. These forklifts can with solid or pneumatic tires, and be designed with 4 or 3 wheels. They can operate in diverse applications. These lift trucks are outfitted with a range of accessories. Common attachments and options include: hydraulic clamps, side shifts, slip sheet attachments and fork shifts just to mention some items.

The counterbalance lift truck has in fact changed the entire industry of material handling. These machinery are essential to the shipping and receiving centers all over the planet as they are used for loading, stacking, horizontal transport functions and unloading. The standard warehouse lift trucks are normally used for lift heights under 6 meters or 20 feet. There have been some models recently developed that could lift to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 4000 lbs. or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses within most warehouses. These are the most common models that the majority of small companies would own. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that needs around 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are normally used for container carrying and heavy use together with pretty much every use in between. Counterbalance forklifts are the most versatile and widely utilized of all materials handling machines.

Because of their durability and versatility, counterbalance lift trucks are commonplace in a large range of working environments, like production, retail and warehousing. Several of the industrial applications consist of: automotive, timber, chemical and food industries.