Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machine found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, one of the pioneers of the first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Different other popular names in the making of these machines include: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
The Hyster brand of lift truck has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: fork truck, stacker truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the lift truck was first made. At this time, small, battery-powered models were made for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, various versions 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 machinery come in many sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted forklift units and some of the larger equipment, whilst the smaller equipment consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These units were made to improve production and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto lots of common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, running on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse units would usually be rated to raise between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless component of the material handling business. Thousands of these models are used on a daily basis all around the globe to complete jobs that used to need a lot more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training courses in order to operate these heavy machines legally and safely. Numerous workers have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to lift objects manually anymore since the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.