Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a top supplier. Different other popular names in the manufacturing of these equipment include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. The fact is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was in the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the forklift was first developed. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During WWI, various kinds were made in England specially to be utilized in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of configurations and sizes. There are the big truck-mounted lift truck models which are also called sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which 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 many common forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors can be IC or internal combustion models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will usually be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Thousands of these models are used each and every day throughout the globe to complete jobs that used to require much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses in order to safely and legally operate these heavy machines. Lots of employees have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to raise things by hand anymore as the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.