Classification of Forklift Trucks
Forklift trucks have been working its magic for around 100 years now. Even today, this particular piece of machine is found in each and every warehouse operation all over the globe.
The very first forklifts were made as a result of manpower shortages that were caused by WWI. Companies such as Yale & Town and Clark introduced the material handling equipment which used powered lift tractors in their factories. In 1918, Clark saw the potential for these machinery and began selling them.
It was during the 1920s that the design of forklifts evolved from a tractor with an attachment to a dedicated equipment that was equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more sophisticated with WWII. The forklift played a key role during this time in the handling of supplies for different armies all around the globe. It was also at this time that the introduction of the wooden pallet solidified the need for the forklift in the material handling business.
As soon as World War II ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. In the 1950s, battery operated forklifts made an appearance. There were other more specialized kinds of forklifts introduced like the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This particular kind was made by the Raymond Corporation. During the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts much more versatile and companies were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
There are many options you could use to power a forklift nowadays. These include diesel, electrical battery, gasoline, compressed natural gas or CNG, liquid propane gas or LPG. The first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It presently runs on lithium ion and diesel battery. This particular type consumes 39 percent less fuel compared to existing models. Statistics show that its carbon dioxide emissions are around 14.6 tons less compared to those forklift models that are powered by internal combustion or IC engines.