Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an important piece of equipment found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, amongst the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader within the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Various other well-known names in the making of these equipment include: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Cat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
The Hyster type 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. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment consist of: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was in the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. During WWI, some different kinds were developed in England specifically to be utilized in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's equipment come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted lift truck units and several of the larger machinery, whilst the smaller equipment consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were made to improve production and as a way of lowering operational costs.
A regular lift truck is able to use a huge range of attachments which are capable of being added for a variety of specific functions. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Typical warehouse models will usually be rated to lift between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Many of these units are used on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks which used to need much more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training programs in order to safely and legally run these heavy machinery. A lot of workers have better overall health and longer careers now due to their not having to raise items by hand anymore as the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.