Counterbalance lift trucks are essentially forklifts which are designed with counterweight at the back of the machine. The counterweight works to balance the weight that the tines are carrying at the front of the cargo. This design is engineered to stabilize traditional lift trucks. When it comes to electric counterbalance forklifts, the battery itself forms the counterweight.

Counterbalance lift trucks could often 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 lift trucks could be designed with 4 or 3 wheels, or be equipped. They are capable of working in diverse applications. These lift trucks are outfitted with a range of accessories. Common options and attachments consist of: fork shifts, slip sheet attachments, hydraulic clamps and side shifts just to mention some items.

The counterbalance forklift has in fact revolutionized the whole business of material handling. These machinery are essential to the shipping and receiving centers around the planet because they are used for loading, stacking, unloading and horizontal transport functions. The standard warehouse lift trucks are normally used for lift heights under 20 feet or 6 meters. There have been some recently developed models that are capable of lifting to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 4000 pound or 1-1.8 ton forklifts are the main workhorses within most warehouses. These are the most popular units that most small companies will have. The standard warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that needs about 3 meters or 11 feet to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily limited to the warehouse. They are normally used for container carrying and heavy use together with pretty much every use in between. Counterbalance forklifts are the most widely utilized and versatile of all materials handling machines.

The counterbalanced forklift is common in many working environments, like retail, warehousing and production. This is due to their versatility and durability. Several of the industrial applications include: food, chemical, automotive and timber businesses.