The forklift has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and used in most warehousing and industrial operations, ever 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 top supplier in the material handling industry. Other well-known names in the making of these machines comprise: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
Hyster has grown to become one of the most popular models of lift trucks within the business. The fact is, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machinery include: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's machinery was initially made during the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered models were invented for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During WWI, various versions were made within England specifically to be used in the material handling business. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's equipment come in many sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted lift truck models and some of the larger machines, whilst the smaller machinery consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These units were developed as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve productivity.
Attachments have been made to fit onto many 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 diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options which require regular charging. Typical warehouse units will normally be rated to raise between around 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part in the material handling industry. Many of these units are used on a daily basis throughout the world to perform tasks which used to need much more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training programs in order to run these heavy machines safely and legally. Numerous workers have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift things manually anymore as the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.