Which equipment is classified under material handling equipment?

Material handling equipment refers to the machinery and tools specifically designed for the movement, storage, control, and protection of materials throughout the manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and consumption stages. Forklifts and cranes are prime examples of material handling equipment because they are used explicitly to lift, move, and position loads in various environments, such as warehouses, construction sites, and docks.

Forklifts operate by lifting pallets of goods or materials and transporting them over short distances, while cranes are utilized for lifting heavy materials to greater heights and moving them across distances that might not be reachable with other equipment. This classification is fundamental for understanding how materials are efficiently managed and maneuvered in various operations, ensuring productivity and safety.

Other equipment, such as excavators, dump trucks, and bulldozers, serve different functions. Excavators are primarily used for digging, earthmoving, or demolition; dump trucks are responsible for transporting bulk materials from one location to another; and bulldozers are designed for pushing large quantities of material across a job site. These machines are essential in construction and civil engineering but do not fit the strict definition of material handling equipment.