If you want to drive a car, you need to pass a driving test and get a licence before you can drive it on the road. Similarly, if you want to operate a forklift truck for work, you must get training and obtain a certificate before you can drive it. This certificate is often called a forklift licence.
The certificate or licence is only valid for the type of forklift you are trained on. You can train on more than one type of forklift truck and get an appropriate certificate. To drive a forklift truck you must be over 18 years old and be physically and mentally fit. You do not need any school qualifications.
So what are the different types of forklift trucks? There are many different types of forklift trucks, but the most commonly used are Counterbalance, Reach and Pivot Steer. Here is more information on each of them:
- Counterbalance forklift truck is most commonly used in UK. The Counterbalance forklift is so called because it has a counterweight at the back which balances the weight of the load being lifted without tipping over. Counterbalance forklift truck has two forks at the front which can lift heavy loads of 1800kg (1.8t) to 48000kg (48t), depending on the vehicle specification. Counterbalance forklift trucks can be powered by diesel, gas or a battery (electric). They can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Reach forklift trucks are specially designed to reach impressive heights for maximising storage and operate in narrow aisles for handling goods on the racks in a warehouse. They have two outer legs that help distribute the load and a set of wheels at the back, which are located under the operator enabling the Reach forklift truck to turn in tight circles. The Reach forklift truck masts can move up and down as well as forward and back to enable loading and unloading pallets from the racks. They are mainly used indoors in the warehouses.
- Pivot Steer forklift trucks are also known as bendi or flexi trucks because they bend in the middle. The forks are on a pivot which can be moved left and right up to 90o to the body of the forklift where the driver sits. The versatile Pivot Steer forklift truck has the speed of a counterbalance truck and the lifting capacity of a reach forklift and can operate in very narrow aisles due to its ability to bend.
Now you more about what a forklift licence and the most common types of forklifts used in UK, how do you go about getting a licence or certificate? You attend a training school or provider to get a forklift licence or certificate but you must go to an accredited training provider. You can read more about it in our last latest news article by clicking on this link.
Wallace Forklift Training has over 60 years of experience and you can train on Counterbalance, Reach and Pivot Steer forklift trucks. You can train on one, two or all three types of forklift trucks at Wallace Forklift Training in London. We have a special offer called No Pass – No Fee. But to benefit from our special offer, you must attend a Free Assessment. To book a Free Assessment, call Angela on 020 8453 3438.
Useful Links:
- What to Expect on a Counterbalance Forklift Truck Operator Course
- Wallace Forklift Training offers Pivot Steer Forklift Truck Training
- How to Stay Grounded and get the best from Forklift Truck Training
Wallace School of Transport including Forklift Training in London is a fully accredited RTITB company with over 60 years’ experience. You can be trained either at your own work site or at Wallace Centre in Park Royal. If you have any questions, call Wallace Forklift Training on 020 8453 3440, choose option 3 or click here to email us.