Forklifts are machines which forklift operators utilize to transport supplies from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also known as skids, that are loaded with objects. 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.
Companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing advertised the very first forklifts during the early part of the 1900s. These days the majority of goods are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found inside manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they are used for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the various kinds of pallets or skid lifts are as follows: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift 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 called "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "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 particular hybrid is suggested for very narrow aisles because it can offload and onload in very 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" version. These trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This equipment should be utilized only on floors which are flat and even.