What if there was machine that was capable of lifting ridiculously heavy loads quickly and safely? For 50 years, we here at Ace Plant have been driven to provide modern specialist solutions to the plant hire market. So, if you’re a business owner who is looking to expand your material handling capabilities, let us introduce you to counterbalance forklifts - a versatile and powerful vehicle that can reduce labour costs and increase efficiency. Discover more on what counterbalance forklifts are and why you need them with this simple but comprehensive guide.
What are counterbalance forklifts?
Counterbalance forklifts are vehicles capable of picking up, lifting, and transporting various large objects without tipping over. They accomplish this through three separate ways.
- The counterbalance, which is located at the rear of the forklift, off-sets the loads that are placed at the front to prevent the forklift from tipping over.
- Counterbalance forklifts offer a sturdy design. Depending on the model, counterbalance forklifts are capable of picking up and transporting heavy loads of around 1000-3500kg safely without breaking down.
- A hydraulic lift is fitted onto the counterbalance forklift, which allows for effortless lifting and lowering of heavy goods. Depending on the model, counterbalance forklifts can lift heavy loads up to around 7 meters high
If you are keen to understand the design of a forklift further, we recently released an article going over the main parts of a forklift.
Who are Counterbalance Forklifts Best For?
As you may have guessed, counterbalance forklifts offer an intuitive purpose that is applicable to many different industries; however, counterbalance forklifts are predominantly used by
- Construction companies
- Agricultural industries
- Warehouse and distribution centres
The advantages of counterbalance forklifts
Counterbalance forklifts offer a variety of advantages including:
Safety
As they are capable of lifting heavy loads without breaking or falling over, they are indispensable when ensuring the safety of yourself and your employees.
Efficiency
The sturdy design of counterbalance forklifts allows them to carry heavy loads over long distances quickly. Only one employee is needed to operate a counterbalance forklift, which favours greatly in efficiency compared to the multiple employees it would take to complete the same job without a counterbalance forklift.
Economic:
Although counterbalance forklifts require some investment to either hire or own; the drastic increase in efficiency and the lack of labour required to use a counterbalance forklift guarantees to make them a highly economic and cost-effective asset to have.
Control
Higher-quality counterbalance forklifts should offer 4-wheel drive, which allows for greater control and manoeuvrability when transporting heavy goods.
Versatility
Higher-quality counterbalance forklifts should also offer a variety of attachments that make them suitable for various specific applications.
Forklifts by Ace Plant:
After popular demand, Ace Plant are excited to announce the release of the Manitou M 30-4, Manitou’s latest iteration in 4-wheel drive counterbalance forklifts. Manitou is a leading manufacturer of high-quality plant equipment, and its M 30-4 raises expectations by offering a 3000kg maximum lift weight and a staggering max lift height of 7 metres. So, if you want to hire the best counterbalance forklift money can buy at a cost-friendly price, register your interest today, and get notified as soon as the Manitou M 30-4 is available!
Ace Plant hope this article provided you with the information you needed. If you have any further questions however, feel free to contact us via email: hire@aceplant.co.uk, telephone: 01908562191 or fill out our easy-to-follow contact form.