Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of machinery found in many industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, one of the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader in the material handling business and still remains a leading supplier. Different other well-known names in the making of these machines include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of lift trucks within the business. The truth is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machinery include: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's equipment was initially made in the early 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. In the First World War, several different versions were made in England particularly for use in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machines come in numerous configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted lift truck models and some of the larger machinery, whereas the smaller machinery consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are basically robotic in nature. These units were developed to improve production and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto a lot of regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors can be IC or internal combustion units, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse models will usually be rated to lift between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part within the material handling business. Thousands of these units are used every day throughout the globe to complete tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses so as to safely and legally operate these heavy machines. Numerous employees have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to raise items by hand anymore since the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.