Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Various other popular names in the making of these machines include: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
Hyster has grown to become one of the most popular models of lift trucks within the business. In fact, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting equipment comprise: stacker truck, fork truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
It was in the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In the First World War, various versions were developed in England specifically for use in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's equipment come in various sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift models and some of the larger equipment, while the smaller machines consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed as a way of lowering operational expenses and to improve productivity.
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 propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part within the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training programs in order to safely and legally operate these heavy machines. Numerous employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise things manually anymore because the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.