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

Counterbalance forklifts could usually be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are normally manufactured in a variety of configurations and sizes, using a range of fuel sources. These forklifts can with solid or pneumatic tires. They could operate in various applications. These types of lift trucks are equipped with a variety of accessories. Common attachments and options include: fork shifts, slip sheet attachments, side shifts and hydraulic clamps just to mention some items.

The counterbalance forklift has in fact revolutionized the entire business of material handling. These equipment are vital to the shipping and receiving centers all-around the world since they are utilized for stacking, loading, unloading and horizontal transport functions. The standard warehouse forklifts are typically used for lift heights less than 6 meters or 20 feet. There have been some recently developed models which are capable of lifting to heights 31 feet or 9.5 meters. The smaller 4000 lbs. or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses in most warehouses. These are the most popular units that the majority of small companies would own. The average warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that needs about 3 meters or 11 feet to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are often utilized for container carrying and heavy use along with basically every use in between. Counterbalance forklifts are the most widely used and versatile of all materials handling equipment.

The counterbalanced lift truck is common in numerous working environments, like production, retail and warehousing. This is due to their versatility and durability. Several of the industrial use comprise: automotive, timber, food and chemical industries.