In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the types of machines that drivers use to transport supplies from one place to another are known as forklifts. The equipment lifts pallets, also referred to as skids, that are loaded with objects. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
Companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing advertised the first forklifts during the early part of the 1900s. Nowadays the majority of goods are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are normally found in manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are depended upon for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the various kinds of skid lifts or pallets are the following: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also called "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck ; 'Man Down' - utilized for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles since it is capable of onloading and offloading in very tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" type can lift up to 30 meters high. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine should be used only on floors that are flat and even.