The forklift has become such an important piece of machinery found and used in most warehousing and industrial operations, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. Among the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry top supplier in the material handling industry. Different other well-known names in the making of these machinery comprise: Cat, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machinery comprise: fork truck, stacker truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's machines was initially developed during the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. In WWI, some different versions were developed in England specially to be used in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of configurations and sizes. There are the big truck-mounted forklift models that 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 basically robotic in nature. These models were made to improve productivity and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto numerous common forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors can be IC or internal combustion units, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse units will normally be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to perform tasks which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training programs so as to run these heavy equipment legally and safely. Many employees have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to raise things manually anymore because the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.