Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of machinery found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, one of 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 manufacturing of these equipment include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
Hyster has grown to become amongst the most popular units of forklifts in the industry. The truth is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: high/low, lift truck, jitney, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the forklift was initially developed. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of moving traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, several different kinds were developed within England specifically for use in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machines come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift models and several of the larger machines, whereas the smaller machinery consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were made to improve productivity and as a way of lowering operational costs.
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 can be IC or internal combustion models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse units will usually be rated to lift between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part within the material handling business. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis all over the globe to complete jobs which used to need much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses in order to run these heavy machinery legally and safely. Numerous workers have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore since the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.