Forklifts are equipment which forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one place to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machine lifts pallets, also known as skids, that are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. At times, forklifts are also called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were advertised during the early 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days the majority of goods stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are normally found within manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are used for the smooth operation of business.
Some of the various types of pallets or skid lifts are as follows: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; 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 known as "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 kind of counterbalanced forklift truck that is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles since it could onload and offload 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" type. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This equipment must only be used on floors which are even and flat.