The counterbalanced lift truck is a lift truck that uses a counter balance which is attached to the back end of the machine. This counterbalance effectively balances loads which are positioned on the forks at the front end of the machinery. This particular design is engineered to stabilize typical forklifts. As far as electric counterbalance forklifts are concerned, the counterweight is formed by the battery itself.

Nearly every forklift producer would have in their product range, a counterbalance forklift. These machinery will come in a wide range of fuel sources, sizes and configurations. These forklifts could with pneumatic or solid tires. They are capable of working in various applications. These forklifts are outfitted with a range of accessories. Common attachments and options comprise: slip sheet attachments, fork shifts, side shifts and hydraulic clamps just to mention some items.

Counterbalance lift trucks have revolutionized the material handling industry. They have become the cornerstone of distribution and storage systems where they perform loading, stacking, horizontal transport functions and unloading. The average warehouse lift trucks are normally used for lift heights less than 6 meters or 20 feet. There have been some recently designed units which can lift to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 1-1.8 ton or 4000 lbs. forklifts are the main workhorses inside most warehouses. These are the most common units that most small businesses will have. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck which requires around 11 feet or 3 meters to turn in.

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

The counterbalanced forklift is common in numerous working environments, such as warehousing, production and retail. This is because of their versatility and durability. Some of the industrial use comprise: timber, automotive, food and chemical industries.