If you work in a warehouse or manufacturing environment, you know the forklift is the real workhorse, carrying heavy loads from place to place.
Most people have an understanding of a traditional counterbalance forklift and what it does. Yet, there are many different kinds of forklifts that serve a variety of purposes.
For example, you might want a reach truck over a forklift if you need to do more than just lift straight up and down.
So, how can you compare reach truck vs. forklift, and when might one option be better than the other? Read on to learn more about the differences between a reach truck and a forklift.
What Is a Reach Truck?
A reach truck is a type of forklift. Like a forklift, the reach truck can lift loads up and down.
Unlike a forklift that can only lift a load up and down, the reach truck, or reach forklift, can extend horizontally with a load, too.
This allows the reach truck to have potentially more mobility than a counterbalance forklift.
What Is a Forklift?
A traditional forklift, often called a counterbalance forklift, is commonly used in warehouse and factory settings.
It can lift a load from one spot and carry it to another using the forks. A reach truck can also do this. The difference is that a forklift can only lift a load up and down.
It doesn’t have the ability to move the forks outward to place a load. If a forklift was lifting a load to place it, the machine would need to get close enough to set it straight down.
Forklift and Reach Truck Similarities and Differences
There are a few key differences between a reach truck and a forklift.
The first difference is how the forks move. Forklift forks can only move up and down, whereas a reach truck forks can also move horizontally.
Another key difference is how the machine has the stability to keep from tipping when lifting a load.
The traditional forklift uses a counterbalance in the back of the machine to help it keep from tipping. A reach truck uses base legs to handle the weight on the forks.
When Is the Best Time to Use a Reach Truck
A reach truck makes sense to use inside, especially in a warehouse where the load must be placed back on higher shelves.
Often the reach truck can navigate narrower aisles and is likely to handle lighter loads than a forklift.
When Is the Best Time to Use a Forklift
Forklifts work in various environments depending on whether they are powered by gas, propane, or electricity. They are more likely to work outside than in a reach truck.
How much a forklift can lift depends on the machine’s overall size. It’s important for any forklift operator and those working around forklifts to have an online forklift certification to operate the machinery safely.
Reach Truck vs. Forklift: Which Is Right for Your Job?
When debating reach truck vs. forklift, it’s important to consider what your lifting and placing needs include. There are many different types of both machines, so you want to get the one that will work best for your needs.
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