Forklifts are machines which forklift operators use to transport materials from one place to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The equipment lifts pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. At times, forklifts are also called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
Companies such as Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing sold the very first forklifts during the early part of the 1900s. Today the majority of goods stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are usually found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are used to operate the business smoothly.
The following are some of the different types of skid lifts or pallets: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also known as "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck; 'Man Down' - for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, such as the articulated counterbalance truck. This particular hybrid is suggested for really narrow aisles because it is capable of onloading and offloading in very tight spaces.
The Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks are capable of lifting as high as 12 meters, and even up to 30 meters if it is a "non top-tied" version. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine should be utilized only on floors that are flat and even.