The lift truck has become such an invaluable piece of equipment found and used in most warehousing and industrial operations, ever since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago in the 1920's. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling business. Different other popular names in the manufacturing of these equipment include: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
Hyster has grown to become one of the most popular units of forklifts in the industry. As a matter of fact, in some places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment comprise: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
The ancestor of today's equipment was first made during the early 19th century. 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, some different versions were developed within England specifically for use in the material handling business. These machines evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machines come in various sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift models and several 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 practically robotic in nature. These models were made as a means of lowering operational costs and to improve productivity.
A regular forklift is able to utilize a huge range of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of specific functions. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, running on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse units would usually be rated to lift between about 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part in the material handling industry. Many of these units are utilized each and every day throughout the globe to complete jobs that used to require a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training programs in order to operate these heavy equipment safely and legally. Numerous employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.