The lift truck has become such an invaluable piece of machinery found and used in most industrial operations and warehousing, ever since its introduction to the market more than 90 years ago during 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 manufacturing of these machinery consist of: Nissan, Yale, Hyster Toyota, Mitsubishi and Cat.
The Hyster type of forklift has become among the industries most popular manufacturers. In fact, in some regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Various other names for this industrial lifting machinery include: fork truck, stacker truck, high/low, lift truck and jitney.
The ancestor of today's machinery was initially made during the early part of the 19th century. At this time, small, battery-powered units were made for the purpose of transporting traveler's baggage within Pennsylvania at the Altoona train station. During WWI, some different kinds were made within England specifically to be used in the material handling business. These machinery evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
Today's machines come in many sizes and configurations. Sod loaders are big truck-mounted lift truck units and several of the larger machinery, while the smaller machines consist of hand truck units. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles that are practically robotic in nature. These models were made as a means of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto many common forklifts, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors can be internal combustion or IC models, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options which require regular charging. Typical warehouse models would usually be rated to lift between roughly 1 and 5 tons.
The lift truck has become a priceless part within the material handling business. Thousands of these models are utilized on a daily basis throughout the world to complete tasks which used to require a lot more man-power. Operators have to take stringent training programs in order to run these heavy equipment legally and safely. A lot of employees have longer careers now and better overall health due to their not having to lift objects manually anymore since the forklifts could handle those situations now instead.