Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machine found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the first forklift, has grown to become a leader in the material handling industry and still remains a top supplier. Different other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machinery consist of: Cat, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
The Hyster type of forklift has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. The truth is, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment include: lift truck, jitney, high/low, stacker truck and fork truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was initially developed during the early 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small units were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During WWI, several different versions were developed in England specifically for use in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a range of configurations and sizes. There are the large truck-mounted lift truck units that are also called 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 which are basically robotic in nature. These models were made as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto many common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors can be IC or internal combustion units, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Typical warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Thousands of these units are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to perform jobs which used to need much more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training courses so as to legally and safely operate these heavy machinery. Lots of employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift items by hand anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.