Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of machine found in many industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, among the pioneers of the very first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Different other well-known names in the making of these machinery include: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
The Hyster type of forklift has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's equipment was first made in the early part of the 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, several different kinds were made within England specifically for use in the material handling industry. These equipment evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's equipment come in numerous sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift units and some of the larger machinery, whilst the smaller machinery consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed as a way of lowering operational expenses and to improve productivity.
Attachments have been made to fit onto many regular lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors can be IC or internal combustion models, working on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse units will normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless component of the material handling business. Many of these models are utilized every day all around the globe to complete tasks that used to require a lot more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training courses in order to run these heavy machinery legally and safely. Many workers have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to raise items manually anymore as the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.