Ever since its introduction in the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of machine found in numerous warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, amongst the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader in the material handling business and still remains a top supplier. Other popular names in the manufacturing of these machines include: Yale, Hyster, Nissan Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
The Hyster brand of lift truck has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines comprise: stacker truck, fork truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
The ancestor of today's equipment was first made in the early part of the 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. During the First World War, several different types were developed within England specially for use in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a range of sizes and configurations. There are the big truck-mounted lift truck units that are also known as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto a lot of regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors could be internal combustion or IC units, working on propane, diesel or gasoline, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will usually be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless part of the material handling business. Thousands of these units are used each day throughout the world to complete jobs which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses so as to legally and safely operate these heavy machinery. Numerous employees have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift items by hand anymore as the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.