Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machine 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 industry and still remains a leading supplier. Other well-known names in the manufacturing of these equipment comprise: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Cat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of lift trucks in the business. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
It was in the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. At this time, battery-powered, small units were made for the purpose of moving traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During the First World War, some different versions were made within England specifically for use in the material handling industry. These machines evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machinery come in numerous sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck models and some of the larger machines, whereas the smaller machinery consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically 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 numerous common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors could be IC or internal combustion models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse units would usually be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used each day throughout the world to complete tasks that used to require much more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training courses so as to safely and legally operate these heavy machinery. Numerous employees have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift things by hand anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.