The counterbalanced lift truck is a lift truck that utilizes a counter balance that is attached to the back end of the equipment. This counterbalance effectively balances loads which are positioned on the blades at the front end of the equipment. This design is engineered to stabilize typical forklifts. When it comes to electric counterbalance lift trucks, the counterweight is formed by the battery itself.

Counterbalance lift trucks could often be found in every manufacturer's product range. They are normally manufactured in a variety of sizes and configurations, using a range of fuel sources. These forklifts can be designed with 4 or 3 wheels, or be outfitted. They are capable of working in various applications. These forklifts are outfitted with a range of accessories. Common attachments and options consist of: hydraulic clamps, side shifts, slip sheet attachments and fork shifts just to name a few.

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

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily limited to the warehouse. They are often used for carrying containers and heavy use along with basically every application in between. Counterbalance forklifts are the most versatile and widely utilized of all materials handling machinery.

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