Forklifts are equipment that forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery carries pallets, also known as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The first forklifts were sold in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. Today most supplies are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found within manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the various types of pallets or skid lifts are the following: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also referred to as "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck ; 'Man Down' - for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, such as the articulated counterbalance truck. This hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles because it is capable of onloading and offloading within really tight spaces.
The Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks are capable of lifting as high as 12 meters, and even up to 30 meters if it is a "non top-tied" type. These kinds of trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This machinery should only be utilized on floors that are even and flat.