Since its introduction during the early 1920s, the lift truck has become an invaluable piece of machine found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the very first lift truck, has grown to become a leader in the material handling industry and still remains a top supplier. Various other well-known names in the manufacturing of these equipment include: Mitsubishi, Cat, Toyota, Nissan, Yale and Hyster.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular models of forklifts within the business. The truth is, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machines include: high/low, lift truck, jitney, stacker truck and fork truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was first made during the early 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In the First World War, various kinds were made within England particularly for use in the material handling industry. These machines evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's equipment come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted forklift units and some of the larger machinery, whereas the smaller machinery consist of hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These models were developed as a way of lowering operational costs and to improve productivity.
A regular lift truck is able to use a wide array of attachments that are capable of being added for a variety of particular functions. The motors can be IC or internal combustion units, running on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse units would normally be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
Ever since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless part of the material handling industry. Many of these models are used on a daily basis all around the globe to complete jobs which used to need much more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training programs so as to run these heavy machines safely and legally. A lot of employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore since the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.