Forklifts are equipment that forklift drivers utilize to transport supplies from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The equipment lifts pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with objects. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes referred to as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The very first forklifts were sold in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days most goods stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are commonly found inside warehouses and manufacturing factories, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
The following are among the various kinds of pallet or skid lifts: 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 referred to 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
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is utilized for specialized applications. This hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles since it can offload and onload in really tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" kind could lift up to 30 meters high. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine must just be used on even and flat floors.