In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the types of machinery that operators utilize to transport supplies from one place to another are known as forklifts. The machine lifts pallets, also called skids, which are loaded with objects. The lift truck is designed with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Side Loaders and Stacker Trucks.
The very first forklifts were marketed in the early 1900s by companies such as 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 utilized for the smooth operation of business.
The following are among the different kinds of skid lifts or pallets: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also referred to as "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 hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles since it is capable of offloading and onloading 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" kind. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This equipment should just be used on floors which are flat and even.