Ever since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of equipment found in many industrial operations and warehousing. Clark, among the pioneers of the first lift truck, has grown to become a leader in the material handling industry and still remains a leading supplier. Different other popular names in the manufacturing of these machines consist of: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular units of lift trucks in the business. As a matter of 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 machines was initially made in the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In the First World War, various versions were developed within England specifically 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 range of configurations and sizes. There are the large 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 known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were developed to improve production and as a means of lowering operational costs.
Attachments have been made to fit onto lots of regular forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of tasks. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, running on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Standard warehouse units would normally be rated to raise between around 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless component within the material handling business. Many of these units are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to perform tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs in order to operate these heavy machinery safely and legally. Lots of workers have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to raise things by hand anymore since the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.