Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of machinery found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a top supplier. Other popular names in the making of these equipment consist of: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Cat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
The Hyster type of lift truck has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment comprise: lift truck, jitney, high/low, stacker truck and fork truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the forklift was first made. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During WWI, various versions were developed in England particularly to be used in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of sizes and configurations. There are the large truck-mounted forklift units that are also known as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These models were made as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
A common lift truck is able to utilize a wide array of attachments which are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors could be internal combustion or IC models, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options which require regular charging. Standard warehouse models will normally be rated to raise between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part within the material handling industry. Many of these models are utilized every day all around the world to complete tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses so as to legally and safely run these heavy machinery. Many employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift things manually anymore as the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.