The counterbalanced forklift is a lift truck that uses a counter balance that is connected to the rear end of the machine. This counterbalance effectively balances loads which are placed on the tines at the front end of the machinery. This design is engineered to stabilize conventional lift trucks. As far as electric counterbalance forklifts are concerned, 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 range of sizes and configurations, utilizing a range of fuel sources. These lift trucks could be fitted. They are capable of working in various applications. These types of forklifts are equipped with different types of accessories. Common attachments and options consist of: fork shifts, slip sheet attachments, side shifts and hydraulic clamps just to mention some items.

Counterbalance forklifts have changed 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 lift trucks are normally used for lift heights under 20 feet or 6 meters. There have been some recently designed models which could lift to heights 9.5 meters or 31 feet. The smaller 1-1.8 ton or 4000 pound forklifts are the main workhorses inside the majority of warehouses. These are the most common units which the majority of small businesses would own. The typical warehouse counterbalance forklift is a wide-aisle truck that requires about 3 meters or 11 feet to turn in.

Counterbalance forklifts are not necessarily confined to the warehouse. They are often used for container carrying and heavy use together with basically every use in between. Counterbalance forklifts are the most versatile and widely used of all materials handling machinery.

Due to their versatility and durability, counterbalance forklifts are commonplace in a huge range of working environments, including warehousing, production and retail. Several of the industrial use comprise: timber, automotive, food and chemical industries.