Forklifts are machines which forklift operators use to transport materials from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also referred to as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the pallet rungs. Every so often, forklifts are also known as as Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The very first forklifts were sold in the early 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. Today most goods are delivered to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are normally found within warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are utilized to operate the business smoothly.
The following are among the different types of pallet or skid lifts: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also referred to as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck ; 'Man Down' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it could onload and offload within very tight spaces.
The Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks are capable of lifting as high as 12 meters, and even up to 30 meters if it is a "non top-tied" type. These kinds of trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This equipment should just be utilized on floors which are flat and even.