Since its introduction in the early 1920s, the forklift has become an invaluable piece of equipment found in many warehousing and industrial operations. Clark, among the pioneers of the first forklift, has grown to become a leader in the material handling business and still remains a top supplier. Other well-known names in the making of these equipment comprise: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Cat, Hyster, Nissan and Yale.
Hyster has grown to become among the most popular models of forklifts within the industry. The truth is, in several regions, the word "Hyster" is synonymous with forklift. Other common names for this industrial lifting equipment include: lift truck, jitney, high/low, stacker truck and fork truck.
The ancestor of today's equipment was initially made during the early 19th century. At this time, battery-powered, small models were made for the purpose of moving traveler's luggage at the Altoona train station within Pennsylvania. In WWI, various versions were made within England specially to be utilized in the material handling industry. These equipment evolved as a solution to the lack of manpower at that time.
The modern equivalents come in a variety of configurations and sizes. There are the large truck-mounted lift truck models which are also referred to as sod loaders and then the opposite end of the spectrum has small hand truck models. There are also a line of automated versions known as forklift automated guided vehicles which are practically robotic in nature. These units were made as a way of lowering operational expenses and to improve production.
Attachments have been made to fit onto a lot of regular lift trucks, giving them the capability of performing a wider selection of jobs. The motors could be internal combustion or IC units, working on gasoline, propane or diesel, or there are battery operated options that need regular charging. Standard warehouse models will usually be rated to raise between approximately 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 all over the globe to perform tasks which used to require much more man-power. Operators must take stringent training programs so as to legally and safely operate these heavy machines. Many employees have longer careers now and better health overall due to their not having to lift objects by hand anymore because the forklifts can handle those situations now instead.