Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the forklift has become an invaluable piece of machinery found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a top supplier. Different other popular names in the manufacturing of these machines include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in some places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machines include: fork truck, stacker truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was initially made in the early part of the 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In the First World War, various kinds were made within England specially to be utilized in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's equipment come in various sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift models and some of the larger equipment, whereas the smaller machinery consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto numerous regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, running on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will normally be rated to lift between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component in the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used each and every day throughout the globe to complete jobs that used to need much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs so as to run these heavy machines safely and legally. Numerous workers have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise things by hand anymore since the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.