Forklifts are machines which forklift operators utilize to shuttle materials from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery carries pallets, also called skids, which are loaded with items. The lift truck is designed with forks that insert into the pallet rungs. Every so often, forklifts are also called Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The very first forklifts were sold in the early 1900s by companies like Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. Nowadays nearly all supplies are delivered to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are usually found within manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
Among the different types of pallets or skid lifts are as follows: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach 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' - utilized for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, like for example the articulated counterbalance truck. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it is capable of offloading and onloading 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" version. These types of trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machinery should just be used on even and flat floors.