The lift truck has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and utilized in most warehousing and industrial operations, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago in the 1920's. One of the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Other popular names in the manufacturing of these machines consist of: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of forklifts within the business. In fact, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machinery consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, jitney, high/low and lift truck.
It was in the 19th century that the equipment ancestors of the lift truck was first developed. At this time, battery-powered, small units were made for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. During WWI, several different types were developed within England specifically to be used 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 configurations and sizes. There are the big truck-mounted forklift units which are also referred to 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 that are practically robotic in nature. These units were developed to improve productivity and as a means of lowering operational expenses.
Attachments have been made to fit onto numerous common forklifts, 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 require regular charging. Standard warehouse units will normally be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, forklifts have become a priceless component of the material handling industry. Many of these models are used each day throughout the world to complete jobs which used to need a lot more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs in order to safely and legally operate these heavy equipment. A lot of workers have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to lift objects by hand anymore since the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.