Forklifts are machines that forklift drivers use to shuttle supplies from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The equipment lifts pallets, also known as skids, which are loaded with objects. The lift truck is designed with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. At times, forklifts are also called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were advertised in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. Today nearly all supplies are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are normally found within warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are utilized to operate the business smoothly.
Amongst the different kinds of pallets or skid lifts are as follows: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also referred to as "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck; 'Man Down' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a kind of counterbalanced forklift truck which is utilized for specialized applications. This hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles because it is capable of onloading and offloading in really tight spaces.
The Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks are capable of lifting as high as 12 meters, and even up to 30 meters if it is a "non top-tied" type. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery should be used only on floors which are even and flat.