Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an invaluable piece of machinery found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader in the material handling industry and still remains a top supplier. Other popular names in the manufacturing of these machinery consist of: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machinery include: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
It was during the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. 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, various types were developed within England particularly for use in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's machinery come in numerous sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift models and some of the bigger machines, whilst the smaller equipment consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are basically robotic in nature. These models were made to improve productivity and as a means of lowering operational costs.
A regular lift truck is able to utilize a huge array of attachments that are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors could be internal combustion or IC models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Typical warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component within the material handling industry. Many of these models are utilized every day throughout the globe to complete tasks that used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs so as to legally and safely operate these heavy machinery. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to lift objects by hand anymore as the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.