The lift truck has become such an important 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. Among the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry leading supplier in the material handling industry. Other popular names in the making of these machines consist of: Yale, Hyster, Nissan Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster type of forklift has become one of the industries most popular manufacturers. The fact is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting machinery include: lift truck, jitney, high/low, stacker truck and fork truck.
The ancestor of today's machines was first made during the early part of the 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage at the Altoona train station in Pennsylvania. In WWI, some different types were developed within England specifically to be utilized in the material handling industry. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's machinery come in various configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted forklift models and some of the larger machinery, while the smaller machines consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are basically robotic in nature. These units were developed to improve production and as a way of lowering operational expenses.
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, working on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options that require regular charging. Typical warehouse models would normally be rated to lift between approximately 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part in the material handling business. Many of these models are used on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks that used to require a lot more man-power. Operators need to take stringent training programs so as to operate these heavy machines legally and safely. Many employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to raise objects by hand anymore because the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.