4 Wheel Counterbalance Forklift Trucks

The four wheel counterbalance truck is the machine most people picture when they think of a forklift. The load sits ahead of the front wheels on the forks, and a weight built into the back of the truck balances it, so no outrigger legs are needed and the truck can drive straight up to a pallet, a lorry bed or a stack.

Four wheels give a wider, more stable footprint than a three wheel truck, which is why these are the usual choice for yard work, loading bays, uneven ground and anywhere loads are heavy or carried high. The trade-off is turning circle: a four wheel truck needs more room to turn than the three wheel version, so in tight warehouse aisles the three wheel truck or a dedicated narrow aisle machine may suit better.

Most counterbalance trucks sold in the UK carry between one and five tonnes, with larger machines available for steel, timber, ports and heavy industry. The main decisions are capacity at the lift height you actually need, which falls as the mast goes higher, and the power source.

What to check before you buy or hire

• Electric trucks are quiet, produce no exhaust emissions and suit indoor work, food handling and multi-shift sites where charging or battery changing can be planned in.
• Diesel trucks suit outdoor and yard work, where they handle rough ground, wet weather and long shifts without a charging break.
• LPG and petrol trucks sit between the two, and can be used indoors where ventilation allows, with a quick cylinder change instead of a recharge.
• Tyres matter more than people expect: cushion or solid tyres for smooth indoor floors, pneumatic tyres for yards and rough ground.
• Mast type decides how high you can lift and whether the truck fits through a doorway or into a container. Ask for the closed height as well as the maximum lift.

Every truck listed below is offered by a forktrucks.com member. If you cannot see what you need, request a quote and your enquiry goes to members who supply this type of equipment in your area.