Since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, one of the pioneers of the very first forklift, has grown to become a leader in the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Different other well-known names in the manufacturing of these equipment consist of: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster brand of lift truck has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: jitney, high/low, lift truck, stacker truck and fork truck.
It was in the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During the First World War, various types were made in England particularly to be used in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machines come in many configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck units and some of the bigger equipment, while the smaller equipment consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically 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 common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors could be IC or internal combustion models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse models will normally be rated to lift between about 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Thousands of these models are utilized each day throughout the globe to complete tasks that used to need a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses so as to safely and legally run these heavy machines. Many workers have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift objects manually anymore as the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.