Forklifts are machinery which forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one place to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machine carries pallets, also known as skids, that are loaded with things. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were sold during the early part of the 1900s by companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. Today nearly all supplies stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are normally found in warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
The following are some of the different types of pallet or skid lifts: 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; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach 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' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
The articulated counterbalance truck is a type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles because it is capable of offloading and onloading 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" kind. These trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This machinery should just be used on floors that are even and flat.