The lift truck has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and utilized in most industrial operations and warehousing, since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during the 1920's. One of the forklift's pioneers, Clark has grown to become an industry top supplier in the material handling industry. Other popular names in the making of these machinery include: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster type of lift truck has become amongst the industries most popular manufacturers. The fact is, in some places, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment include: fork truck, stacker truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's equipment was first made in the early 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were invented for the purpose of transporting traveler's luggage in Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. In WWI, various versions were made in England specifically for use in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the manpower shortage at that time.
Today's equipment come in many configurations and sizes. Sod loaders are large truck-mounted lift truck models and several of the larger machines, while the smaller equipment consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions referred to as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were developed as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
A common lift truck is able to use a wide range of attachments that are capable of being added for a range of particular functions. The motors could be IC or internal combustion units, working on diesel, gasoline or propane, or there are battery operated options which need regular charging. Typical warehouse models would usually be rated to raise between about 1 and 5 tons.
The forklift has become a priceless part in the material handling industry. Thousands of these units are used on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks that used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training courses in order to legally and safely run these heavy equipment. Many workers have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift objects by hand anymore as the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.