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 in the 1920's. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machines include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster type of lift truck has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in some places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment comprise: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was in the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the lift truck was initially developed. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During the First World War, various kinds were made within England specifically to be utilized in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of sizes and configurations. There are the big truck-mounted forklift models which are also known as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These units were made to improve productivity and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
A common lift truck is able to use a wide array of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse units would normally be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis all over the world to perform jobs which used to require a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses in order to run these heavy machinery safely and legally. Many workers have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift items by hand anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.