The lift truck has become such an important piece of machinery found and utilized in most industrial operations and warehousing, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry top supplier in the material handling industry. Various other well-known names in the making of these machinery include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Yale, Hyster and Nissan.
Hyster has grown to become amongst the most popular units of forklifts in the business. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was first developed during the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During the First World War, several different types were made in England specifically to be used in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's machinery come in various sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted forklift units and some of the larger machines, whereas the smaller equipment consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are basically robotic in nature. These units were made to improve productivity and as a means of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto many regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors can be IC or internal combustion models, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part in the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used each and every day throughout the world to perform tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses in order to run these heavy machines legally and safely. Many employees have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to raise things by hand anymore since the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.