The forklift has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and used in most industrial operations and warehousing, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. Among the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry top supplier in the material handling industry. Different other well-known names in the manufacturing of these machines consist of: Yale, Hyster, Nissan Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of lift trucks in the business. The fact is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
It was during the 19th century that the machine ancestors of the forklift was first made. At this time, small, battery-powered models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. In WWI, several different versions were developed in England particularly for use 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 bigger equipment, whereas the smaller equipment 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 units were made to improve productivity and as a means 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 tasks. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, running on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will usually be rated to lift between about 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless part of the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are utilized every day all over the globe to perform tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training courses in order to safely and legally operate these heavy machines. Many workers have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to lift things manually anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.