The forklift has become such an important piece of machinery found and utilized in most industrial operations and warehousing, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago in the 1920's. Among the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Various other well-known names in the making of these machines include: Yale, Hyster, Nissan Mitsubishi, Cat and Toyota.
The Hyster type of lift truck has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Different other names for this industrial lifting machines consist of: jitney, high/low, lift truck, stacker truck and fork truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was first developed during the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. During WWI, some different types were developed in England particularly to be utilized in the material handling industry. These equipment evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's machinery come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted lift truck models and several of the larger machines, whilst the smaller machines 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 production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto numerous common forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors could be IC or internal combustion models, running on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models would usually be rated to lift between around 1 and 5 tons.
Since their evolution, lift trucks have become a priceless part of the material handling business. Thousands of these units are used every day throughout the world to perform tasks that used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses so as to legally and safely run these heavy equipment. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise objects manually anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.