In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the types of machinery that operators use to transport supplies from one location to another are called forklifts. The equipment carries pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with objects. The lift truck is designed with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes known as as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing sold the first forklifts in the early part of the 1900s. Nowadays nearly all supplies stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are commonly found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are relied upon for the smooth operation of business.
The following are amongst the various types of skid lifts or pallets: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider 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' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck that is utilized for specialized applications. This hybrid is suggested for very narrow aisles since it could onload and offload within 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 trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery should be used only on floors that are even and flat.