Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machinery found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Various other popular names in the manufacturing of these equipment include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
The Hyster brand of lift truck has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in some places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: jitney, high/low, lift truck, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was in the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the lift truck was initially made. At this time, battery-powered, small units were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During WWI, several different types were developed within England specifically to be utilized in the material handling business. These machines evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machinery come in numerous sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift units and some of the bigger machines, whilst the smaller machines consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These models were developed as a way of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto lots of common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Standard warehouse units would usually be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part within the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used on a daily basis all around the globe to complete tasks that used to need much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses so as to operate these heavy machinery legally and safely. Numerous employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise items manually anymore as the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.