Forklifts are machines that forklift operators use to shuttle materials from one place to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machine lifts pallets, also known as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the rungs of the pallet. Every so often, forklifts are also known as as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The very first forklifts were sold during the early 1900s by companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. These days the majority of goods stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are usually found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are utilized to operate the business smoothly.
The following are amongst the different types of skid lifts or pallets: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced 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' - utilized for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, like for example the articulated counterbalance truck. This hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles since it is capable of offloading and onloading in really tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" type can lift up to 30 meters high. These kinds of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery should be utilized only on floors that are flat and even.