Counterbalance forklifts are basically forklifts that are engineered with counterweight at the rear of the machine. The counterweight works to balance the weight which the forks are carrying at the front of the load. This particular design is engineered to stabilize typical forklifts. As far as electric counterbalance lift trucks are concerned, the counterweight is formed by the battery itself.

Counterbalance forklifts can often be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are typically manufactured in a range of sizes and configurations, using a range of fuel sources. These forklifts could with pneumatic or solid tires, and be designed with 3 or 4 wheels. They are capable of working in diverse applications. These types of lift trucks are equipped with a range of accessories. Common attachments and options include: side shifts, hydraulic clamps, fork shifts and slip sheet attachments just to mention a few.

The counterbalance lift truck has in fact revolutionized the entire business of material handling. These equipment are important to the shipping and receiving centers around the world because they are used for loading, stacking, horizontal transport functions and unloading. The average warehouse forklifts are typically utilized for lift heights under 20 feet or 6 meters. There have been some models recently developed that can lift to heights 31 feet or 9.5 meters. The smaller 4000 pound or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses within the majority of warehouses. These are the most common models which most small businesses would have. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that requires roughly 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are often utilized 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.

The counterbalanced forklift is common in numerous working environments, such as retail, warehousing and production. This is due to their durability and versatility. Some of the industrial applications comprise: food, chemical, automotive and timber industries.