Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, amongst the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a top supplier. Various other well-known names in the manufacturing of these equipment include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Cat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
The Hyster type of forklift has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machinery consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
It was during the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the lift truck was initially developed. At this time, small, battery-powered models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, various kinds were developed within England particularly to be used in the material handling industry. These machines evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's machines come in many sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift units and several of the bigger machinery, while the smaller equipment consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These models were developed as a way of lowering operational costs and to improve productivity.
A common lift truck is able to utilize a wide array of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of specific functions. The motors can be internal combustion or IC units, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models would usually be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Thousands of these units are used each and every day throughout the world to complete tasks that used to need much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses so as to operate these heavy machinery safely and legally. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.