The lift truck 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. Amongst the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Different other popular names in the making of these machinery consist of: Hyster, Nissan, Yale Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster brand of forklift has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. As a matter of fact, in several places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machinery consist of: stacker truck, fork truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's equipment was initially developed during the early part of the 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In the First World War, various versions were made in 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 machinery come in many sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted forklift units and several of the larger machinery, whilst the smaller machinery consist of hand truck models. 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.
A common forklift is able to use a huge array of attachments which are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors could be internal combustion or IC models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will normally be rated to raise between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part within the material handling business. Many of these models are utilized on a daily basis all around the world to perform tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training programs so as to safely and legally operate these heavy machinery. Many employees have better health overall and longer careers now due to their not having to raise objects by hand anymore because the forklifts are capable of handling those situations now instead.