Forklifts are machines that forklift operators use to shuttle materials from one location to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The machine lifts pallets, also referred to as skids, that are loaded with items. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Sometimes, forklifts are also called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The very first forklifts were advertised in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days most supplies stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are commonly found in manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they are depended upon for the smooth operation of business.
The following are amongst the various kinds of pallet or skid lifts: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also called "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' - 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 suggested for very narrow aisles because it can offload and onload in 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" version. These kinds of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine must just be used on floors that are flat and even.