Classification of Forklift Trucks
For less than a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even today, this piece of equipment is found in each and every warehouse operation all over the world.
The first forklifts were built as a result of manpower shortages which were caused by WWI. Companies like Yale & Town and Clark introduced the material handling machine which utilized powered lift tractors inside their factories. In the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these machinery and began selling them.
From a basic tractor with an attachment, the forklift design changed during the 1920s, to a dedicated equipment equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more advanced with the Second World War. The forklift played a vital role during this time in the handling of supplies for various armies all over the globe. It was also at this time that the introduction of the wooden pallet solidified the need for the lift truck within the material handling industry.
As soon as WWII ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. In the 1950s, battery operated forklifts made an appearance. There were other more specialized forklift models introduced like for example the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This model was made by the Raymond Corporation. In the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts a lot more versatile and companies were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
There are many options you can use to power a forklift these days. These comprise diesel, electrical battery, gasoline, compressed natural gas or CNG, LPG or liquid propane gas. The first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It presently operates on lithium ion and diesel battery. This model uses thirty nine percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics prove that its carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 14.6 tons less than those forklift models that are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.