Counterbalance lift trucks are basically forklifts which are engineered with counterweight at the back of the machinery. The counterweight works to balance the weight which the tines are carrying at the front of the load. This design is engineered to stabilize traditional lift trucks. As far as electric counterbalance forklifts are concerned, the counterweight is formed by the battery itself.

Counterbalance forklifts can usually be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are typically manufactured in a variety of sizes and configurations, utilizing a variety of fuel sources. These lift trucks can be designed with 3 or 4 wheels, or be fitted. They are capable of working in diverse applications. These types of lift trucks are outfitted with various types of accessories. Common attachments and options consist of: fork shifts, slip sheet attachments, side shifts and hydraulic clamps just to name a few.

The counterbalance forklift has in fact changed the entire industry of material handling. These equipment are vital to the shipping and receiving centers all over the world 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 recently designed units which are capable of lifting to heights 31 feet or 9.5 meters. The smaller 4000 pound or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses in the majority of 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 which needs roughly 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are often utilized for carrying containers and heavy use together with pretty much every use in between. Counterbalance lift trucks are the most versatile and widely utilized of all materials handling equipment.

Due to their durability and versatility, counterbalance lift trucks are commonplace in a huge range of working environments, including production, retail and warehousing. Some of the industrial use comprise: food, chemical, timber and automotive businesses.