Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of machine found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Other well-known names in the making of these machines consist of: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment include: jitney, high/low, lift truck, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was during the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the forklift was initially made. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During WWI, various kinds were developed in England particularly to be utilized in the material handling business. These machinery 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 large truck-mounted lift truck units which are also known as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were developed to improve production and as a way of lowering operational costs.
A regular forklift is able to utilize a wide range of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors can be IC or internal combustion models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options which require regular charging. Typical warehouse units would normally be rated to raise between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Many of these models are utilized each day all around the world to perform jobs that used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs so as to legally and safely run these heavy equipment. Many workers have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore as the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.