Classification of Forklift Trucks
For little under a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even today, this type of machine is found in every warehouse operation all over the globe.
Because of World War I, there were shortages of manpower that resulted in the creation of the first forklifts. Businesses like Yale & Town and Clark introduced the material handling machine which utilized powered lift tractors inside their plants. During the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these machines and started selling them.
It was in the 1920s that the forklift design changed from a tractor with an attachment to a dedicated equipment that was equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more sophisticated with the Second World War. The forklift played an essential part during this time in the handling of supplies for various armies all over the globe. It was also at this time that the introduction of the wooden pallet solidified the need for the lift truck within the material handling business.
Once the Second World War ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. In the 1950s, forklifts that utilize batteries made an appearance. There were other more specialized forklift models introduced like the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This kind was made by the Raymond Corporation. During the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts a lot more versatile and businesses were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
Nowadays, the forklift can be powered by various fuel options like diesel, electrical battery, gasoline, CNG or compressed natural gas, LPG or liquid propane gas. The first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It presently runs on diesel battery and lithium ion. This particular model utilizes thirty nine percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics show that its carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 14.6 tons less compared to those forklift models which are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.