Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the forklift has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous industrial operations and warehousing. 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. Various other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machines consist of: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
Hyster has grown to become amongst the most popular models of forklifts within the industry. The fact is, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machinery consist of: lift truck, jitney, high/low, stacker truck and fork truck.
It was during the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the forklift was first developed. At this time, small, battery-powered models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, various types were made in England particularly for use in the material handling business. These machines 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 that are also referred to as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These units were made to improve productivity and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
A common lift truck is able to use a wide array of attachments that are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse units would normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless part of the material handling industry. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis all around the globe to complete jobs that used to require a lot more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training programs so as to operate these heavy machinery legally and safely. Numerous workers have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore because the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.