Forklift Facts for Kids

A forklift

A forklift is a special kind of truck with a big fork at the front. It's used to lift and move heavy things, especially in large buildings called warehouses. Think of it as a super strong helper for moving big boxes and pallets!

Types of Forklifts

A truck-mounted forklift.

There are many different kinds of forklifts, each designed for specific jobs. Here are some common types:

Hand Pallet Truck: This is the simplest type. It doesn't have an engine. You use your own strength to lift and move loads.
Powered Pallet Truck: These forklifts are usually electric. They help move loads on pallets. Some you walk behind (walkie), and some you can ride on (rider).
Towing Tractor: This machine is like a powerful tugboat for the warehouse. It pulls heavy carts or trailers instead of lifting them.
Stacker Forklift: These are similar to pallet trucks but can lift loads much higher. Like pallet trucks, some are walkie (you walk with them), and some are rider (you ride on them).
Reach Truck: This forklift is great for tight spaces. Its forks can extend forward to "reach" for loads in narrow aisles. They are usually electric.

An electric forklift.

Counterbalanced Forklift: These are very common. They have a weight at the back to balance the load lifted by the forks at the front.
- Electric Counterbalanced Forklifts: These run on batteries. They are quiet and don't produce fumes, so they are perfect for indoor use, like in food factories or hospitals.
- Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts: These use fuel like diesel or propane. They are often used outdoors or in large, open warehouses.
Fuel Cell Forklifts: These are a newer type of electric forklift. They use fuel cells to make electricity, so they also produce no harmful fumes. They can be refueled very quickly.

HUBTEX-2240-electric-multidirectional-sideloader

An Electric Multidirectional Sideloader.

Sideloader: This forklift carries long items, like pipes or lumber, sideways. This helps it move through narrow aisles without needing a lot of turning space. They can be electric or use an engine.
Telescopic Handler: This machine is like a mix between a forklift and a crane. It has a long arm that can extend forward and upward. It's often used on construction sites or rough ground.

A reach truck extending its forks in a narrow aisle.

Order Picking Truck: These forklifts are designed for picking individual items from shelves. The operator rides in a special cage that goes up with the forks. They wear a safety harness to stay safe.
Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Truck: These forklifts can bend in the middle! This special design lets them work in super narrow aisles where other forklifts can't fit.
Guided Very Narrow Aisle Truck: These are very advanced forklifts used in extremely narrow aisles. They can be guided by wires in the floor, almost working on their own. They can lift loads very high, making the most of storage space.
Truck-Mounted Forklift: Also called a "sod loader," this forklift is carried on the back of a delivery truck. It can unload itself and then move materials around at the delivery site.