The lift truck has been around ever since the early 1920's. This kind of machinery was created in the 1920s and ever since its creation, has become one of the most of the indispensable pieces of manufacturing and warehousing machines within the world.
Sometimes called forklifts, amongst their initial uses was carrying and moving luggage at train stations and airports. Throughout WWII using these machines exploded and the warehousing business expanded greatly. The traditional equipment was adapted to handle the need to stack inventory on higher shelves and they were made to carry heavier cargo and move faster.
The forklift is normally utilized for stacking inventory within warehouses. Items for the most part are packed onto pallets which are designed specifically to enable the forks to move underneath the openings of the pallets. The lift truck could then securely lift the load without it falling into the ground or wobbling. Once the pallets are in position, they can be easily transported to another place. Forklifts are also utilized much within the agriculture, mining, docking and shipping industry.
Lift trucks are usually seen on construction sites. The manufacturers of these equipment design them to pick up big heavy boxes and concrete slabs, heavy pipes, other equipment and ceramics. Since it is fairly a compact unit, this particular machine could move from one location to a different place at a fairly good speed.
Depending upon the specific model and its intended application, the lift trucks dimensions can vary. There are narrow aisle units particularly for warehouse use. These are quite a bit smaller in size and require the floor to be very flat. Usually, they are designed with rear wheel steering. There has been a significant increase in these machines in the mining and manufacturing machinery industries. Since lift trucks usually deal with flammable materials, pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals, the machines have become more robust and tougher.
The forklifts may have load capacities from 1 to as many as 5 tons. Some heavy duty units have been made to deal with as many as 50 tons. These models are normally used to load shipping equipment onto and off of ships. Lift trucks and their required training to operate are particularly regulated to ensure the safety of the people utilizing this particular machine. No body can legally use them without completing the proper training and documents.