Forklifts are machinery that forklift operators utilize to transport materials from one place to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also known as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Every so often, forklifts are also referred to as Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The first forklifts were marketed during the early part of the 1900s by companies such as Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days the majority of supplies stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are usually found within manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they are used for the smooth operation of business.
The following are amongst the various types of skid lifts or pallets: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; 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 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 since it can onload and offload 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" kind. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery should just be used on floors which are flat and even.