Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, amongst the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Different other well-known names in the manufacturing of these equipment comprise: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
The Hyster type of lift truck has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. The truth is, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, lift truck, jitney and high/low.
The ancestor of today's machines was first made during the early 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small units were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, various kinds were made in England particularly to be used in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's equipment come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck units and several of the bigger machinery, whereas the smaller equipment consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These models were developed to improve productivity and as a means of lowering operational costs.
A common lift truck is able to utilize a wide range of attachments that are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors could be internal combustion or IC units, running on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Typical warehouse units will normally be rated to raise between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Many of these units are used 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 so as to run these heavy equipment safely and legally. Lots of employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise things manually anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.