Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machine found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, amongst the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a top supplier. Other popular names in the making of these machinery include: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Yale, Hyster and Nissan.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of forklifts within the industry. As a matter of fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: fork truck, stacker truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the forklift was first developed. At this time, small, battery-powered models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. During WWI, various kinds were made in England specifically to be used in the material handling industry. These machines evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a range of sizes and configurations. There are the big truck-mounted lift truck units 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 referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed to improve production and as a means of lowering operational costs.
A common lift truck is able to utilize a huge range of attachments which are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors can be IC or internal combustion models, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse models would usually be rated to raise between around 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part in the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to complete jobs which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training programs so as to safely and legally run these heavy machinery. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to lift things manually anymore as the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.