Forklifts are equipment that forklift drivers use to transport materials from one location to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The equipment carries pallets, also referred to as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Sometimes, forklifts are also called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The very first forklifts were advertised in the early part of the 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days the majority of goods are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are depended upon for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the different kinds of skid lifts or pallets are the following: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; 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 recommended for really narrow aisles because it is capable of offloading and onloading within very tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" kind can lift up to 30 meters high. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine should only be utilized on flat and even floors.