The forklift has become such an invaluable piece of machine found and used in most industrial operations and warehousing, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry top supplier in the material handling business. Various other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machines comprise: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
Hyster has grown to become amongst the most popular units of lift trucks within the industry. The truth is, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting equipment consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
It was during the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the forklift was first made. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During the First World War, several different versions were made in England specially to be used in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's equipment come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck models and some of the larger machines, while the smaller equipment 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 units were developed as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve productivity.
A regular lift truck is able to use a wide range of attachments which are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors could be internal combustion or IC units, running on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Typical warehouse models will usually be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless part of the material handling industry. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks that used to need much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs in order to safely and legally operate these heavy equipment. Numerous employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to raise objects by hand anymore because the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.