The counterbalanced lift truck is a lift truck that uses a counter balance which is connected to the rear end of the machine. This counterbalance effectively balances loads which are positioned on the forks at the front end of the equipment. This design is engineered to stabilize typical forklifts. When it comes to electric counterbalance forklifts, the counterweight is formed by the battery itself.

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

The counterbalance forklift has in fact changed the entire industry of material handling. These machinery are important to the shipping and receiving centers all over the world since they are utilized for stacking, loading, horizontal transport functions and unloading. The standard warehouse forklifts are typically utilized for lift heights less than 6 meters or 20 feet. There have been some recently designed models which are capable of lifting to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 4000 lbs. or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses within most warehouses. These are the most common models which most small businesses would have. The average warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that requires around 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily limited to the warehouse. They are often utilized for heavy use and carrying containers along with basically every application in between. Counterbalance lift trucks are the most widely used and versatile of all materials handling machinery.

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