In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the kinds of machines that drivers use to transport supplies from one location to another are called forklifts. The machine carries pallets, also called skids, which are loaded with things. The lift truck is designed with forks that insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes referred to as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies like Yale & Towne manufacturing and Clark sold the first forklifts in the early 1900s. These days most goods stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are normally found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are used to operate the business smoothly.
The following are among the various kinds of skid lifts or pallets: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also referred to as "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck; 'Man Down' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, like for example the articulated counterbalance truck. This hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it is capable of onloading and offloading within really tight spaces.
The Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks are capable of lifting as high as 12 meters, and even up to 30 meters if it is a "non top-tied" kind. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery must only be utilized on flat and even floors.