The forklift has been around since the early 1920's. This type of machine was created during the 1920s and ever since its creation, has become one of the most of the indispensable pieces of warehousing and manufacturing machinery within the globe.
Sometimes referred to as lift trucks, amongst their initial uses was carrying and transporting luggage at train stations and airports. During WWII using these machines exploded and the warehousing business expanded greatly. The traditional machine was adapted to handle the requirements of stacking inventory on higher shelves and they were designed to carry heavier loads and move faster.
The lift truck is most commonly used for stacking inventory in warehouses. Things for the most part are packed onto pallets that are designed specially to enable the forks to move under the openings of the pallets. The forklift can then securely carry the goods without it falling into the ground or wobbling. Once the pallets are in position, they could be easily transported to another location. Lift trucks are also used much within the agriculture, mining, shipping and docking business.
Lift trucks are normally seen on construction sites. The manufacturers of these machines design them to pick up large heavy boxes and concrete slabs, heavy pipes, other equipment and ceramics. Because it is fairly a compact unit, this specific machine can move from one location to another at a moderately good speed.
The dimensions of the forklift differ depending on the model and its particular use. For warehousing applications, there are the narrow aisle truck models. These require the floor to be very flat and are quite a bit smaller in size. Typically, they are designed with rear wheel steering. There has been a significant increase in these machinery in the mining and manufacturing machinery businesses. Because lift trucks normally handle pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals and flammable materials, the equipment have become tougher and more durable.
Forklifts have a load capacity ranging from 1 to 5 tons. There are heavy-duty units which can handle up to 50 tons. These models are often used to load shipping equipment onto and off of ships. Lift trucks and their required training to operate are particularly regulated to ensure the safety of the individuals using this particular equipment. No body is able to legally operate them without completing the proper documents and training.