Since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of equipment found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the very first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Various other well-known names in the making of these equipment comprise: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Yale, Hyster and Nissan.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: fork truck, stacker truck, lift truck, jitney and high/low.
The ancestor of today's machinery was initially made in the early part of the 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During WWI, several different versions were made in England specially for use in the material handling business. These machines evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's equipment come in various sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted forklift units and some of the bigger machines, while the smaller machines consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are basically robotic in nature. These models were developed to improve production and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto a lot of regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors could be internal combustion or IC units, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will normally be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless component in the material handling business. Thousands of these units are utilized on a daily basis throughout the world to complete jobs which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training programs so as to safely and legally operate these heavy equipment. Many workers have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift things manually anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.