The forklift has become such an invaluable piece of equipment found and utilized in most industrial operations and warehousing, ever since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. Amongst 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 making of these machines include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machinery consist of: lift truck, jitney, high/low, fork truck and stacker truck.
It was during the 19th century that the machinery ancestors of the lift truck was first made. At this time, small, battery-powered models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During the First World War, several different kinds were made in England particularly for use in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of sizes and configurations. There are the big truck-mounted lift truck models which are also referred to as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small 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 means of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto lots of common lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors can be IC or internal combustion units, running on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Typical warehouse models will normally be rated to lift between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless part of the material handling business. Many of these models are used on a daily basis all around the world to perform jobs which used to require a lot more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses so as to legally and safely operate these heavy machines. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to lift items manually anymore since the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.