Since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of machine found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, one of the pioneers of the very first forklift, has grown to become a leader within the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Various other well-known names in the making of these machines include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Cat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
The Hyster brand of lift truck has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting equipment include: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's machines was initially made in the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered models were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During the First World War, some different types were made within England specifically to be used in the material handling industry. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machinery come in numerous configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck models and several of the larger equipment, whilst the smaller machines consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These models were developed to improve production and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto numerous regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors could be IC or internal combustion models, running on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between about 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless component of the material handling business. Thousands of these models are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to perform jobs that used to need much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses in order to operate these heavy machinery legally and safely. Many employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift objects by hand anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.