Forklifts are equipment which forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one location to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The equipment lifts pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with things. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were sold in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. These days most goods stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are normally found within warehouses and manufacturing factories, where they are depended upon for the smooth operation of business.
The following are amongst the different kinds of pallet or skid lifts: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also referred to as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck ; 'Man Down' - utilized for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles since it can 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 could lift up to 30 meters high. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery must be utilized only on floors that are even and flat.