Counterbalance Vs Reach Forklifts

What’s Right for Your Business?

When choosing the right forklift for your business, there are two main options: counterbalance or reach forklifts. Both forklifts have unique advantages and applications, but which one is better for your business? This blog post debates counterbalance vs reach forklifts to help you make the right choice when finding a forklift for hire.

Counterbalance Forklifts

Chances are, if you’re using a forklift in your warehouse, it will be a counterbalance forklift. As the name suggests, these forklifts are designed with a heavy counterweight at the rear of the machine to balance the load lifted at the front. Counterbalance forklifts are versatile, stable, and easy to use, making them suitable for various applications.

One of the main advantages of a counterbalance forklift is stability. The counterweight at the forklift’s rear provides a solid base that prevents it from tipping over when lifting heavy loads. This stability makes counterbalance forklifts ideal for loading and unloading trucks and moving heavy loads around
a worksite.

Another advantage of counterbalance forklifts is their versatility. These forklifts can be used indoors or outdoors and can handle various loads, from small to large. They can also be fitted with different attachments, such as clamps, forks, and rotators, to accommodate different load shapes and sizes.

Reach Forklifts

Reach forklifts are the smaller, more agile younger brother, designed for use in narrow aisles and confined spaces. These forklifts have a unique design that allows them to extend the load beyond the base of the machine, enabling them to reach higher than counterbalance forklifts. Reach forklifts are ideal for warehouses with high shelving, limited floor space, and narrow aisles.

One of the main advantages of a reach forklift is maneuverability. These forklifts can operate in tight spaces and narrow aisles, making them ideal for warehouses and storage facilities.

Another advantage of reach forklifts is their reach capacity. These forklifts can extend the load beyond the machine’s base, allowing them to reach higher than counterbalance forklifts. This feature makes them ideal for use in high-shelving units and storage racks.

Comparison of Counterbalance and Reach Forklifts

When comparing counterbalance vs reach forklifts, several key differences exist. Counterbalance forklifts typically have a higher load capacity than reach forklifts, making them better suited for lifting heavy loads. They also have a wider turning radius, making it more challenging to maneuver in tight spaces.

Reach forklifts, on the other hand, have a higher lifting height than counterbalance forklifts, making them ideal for use in warehouses with high shelving. They also have a narrower turning radius, which makes them more maneuverable in tight spaces.

Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business

When choosing between counterbalance and reach forklifts, it’s important to consider your business’s specific needs and applications. A counterbalance forklift may be better for heavy loads and outdoor maneuverability. A reach forklift may be more suitable when lifting loads to high shelving or maneuver in narrow aisles.

As one of New Zealand’s leading forklift companies, SG Equipment offers various counterbalance and reach forklifts to suit any business’s needs.