Forklifts are machinery that forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one place to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery carries pallets, also referred to as skids, that are loaded with things. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The first forklifts were marketed during the early 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. Today the majority of supplies are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found within manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they are utilized to operate the business smoothly.
Some of the various types of skid lifts or pallets are as follows: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced 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
The articulated counterbalance truck is a kind of counterbalanced forklift truck that is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles since it is capable of onloading and offloading 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" type. These types of trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This machinery must be used only on even and flat floors.