Forklifts are machinery that forklift drivers utilize to shuttle supplies from one location to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The equipment lifts pallets, also referred to as skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes referred to as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were marketed during the early part of the 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. Nowadays nearly all supplies are delivered to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are normally found in manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the various types of pallets or skid lifts are the following: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Telescopic handler; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also referred to as "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 type of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles as it is capable of onloading and offloading within 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" version. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This equipment should only be used on floors that are flat and even.