Forklifts are machinery that forklift operators utilize to transport supplies from one place to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The machinery carries pallets, also called skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies like Yale & Towne manufacturing and Clark marketed the very first forklifts during the early part of the 1900s. Nowadays most goods are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are commonly found within manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are used for the smooth operation of business.
The following are amongst the various kinds of pallet or skid lifts: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also called "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck; 'Man Down' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck that is used for specialized applications. This hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it is capable of onloading and offloading in very tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" type can lift up to 30 meters high. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery must be utilized only on flat and even floors.