The lift truck has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and utilized in most warehousing and industrial operations, ever since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago in the 1920's. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machinery include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular models of forklifts within the industry. The fact is, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment comprise: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the forklift was first made. At this time, battery-powered, small units were made for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. During the First World War, some different types were developed within England particularly to be utilized in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of configurations and sizes. There are the big truck-mounted forklift models which are also called sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small 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 made as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
A regular forklift is able to use a wide array of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Typical warehouse units will usually be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part within the material handling business. Thousands of these models are utilized each day all over the world to perform tasks that used to need a lot more man-power. Operators should take stringent training courses in order to operate these heavy machinery legally and safely. Lots of workers have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift items manually anymore because the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.