Forklifts are equipment that forklift operators use to transport supplies from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with items. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The very first forklifts were marketed during the early part of the 1900s by companies such as Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. Today the majority of goods are delivered to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found in manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are used to operate the business smoothly.
Amongst the various types of pallets or skid lifts are the following: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also referred to as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also known as "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck ; 'Man Down' - for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a kind of counterbalanced forklift truck that is used for specialized applications. This hybrid is suggested for really narrow aisles since it could offload and onload within very tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" kind can lift up to 30 meters high. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This equipment must be used only on flat and even floors.