The counterbalanced forklift is a lift truck which uses a counter balance which is attached to the back end of the equipment. This counterbalance effectively balances loads that are placed on the forks at the front end of the machinery. This particular design is engineered to stabilize typical lift trucks. When it comes to electric counterbalance lift trucks, the battery itself forms the counterweight.

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

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

In addition, the counterbalanced lift truck is not necessarily limited to warehouse environments. They are usually utilized for heavy use and container carrying together with basically every use in between. Counterbalance lift trucks are the most versatile and widely used of all materials handling machinery.

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