Forklifts were launched onto the market in the beginning of the 20th Century. These machinery have played a tremendously powerful part within the recycling industry and have also revolutionized the material handling industry. The considerations for safe operation, the lift truck's evolution and the many different types are discussed below.
History of Forklifts
These powered industrial trucks, also referred to as lift trucks and forklifts, were invented and introduced to the market in the late 19th century. Initially, these units were low lift trucks which were just capable of raising platforms a few inches high. Generally, these types of machinery were used for transporting material inside a shop, like work-in-progress situations. During the late 1910s, high lift trucks initially emerged and truck design enhancements started to take root from there. The tier trucks ultimately evolved and this allowed for better storage efficiency and stacking of loads.
There were really tough economic times in the 1930s. Nevertheless, during this particular period, labor was freely available but money for investment was increasingly harder to come by. This situation really slowed the growth of lift truck usage.
Forklifts became a very strategic part of the WWII war effort since the vast shortages in manpower in that time occurred as a resulting of enlistment of thousands of men. It was discovered that a lift truck and its driver were extremely productive and can handle the work of many men. As the War continued, numerous women operators filled the many demands. By the time the war was over, lift trucks became a mainstay of the material handling industry. They were used a lot in the Pacific war efforts. Several of the leftover pallets and forklifts within Australia left behind by the United States Military became the basis for the CHEP or Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, who today is known as the largest pallet pooling company in the world.
Gasoline/Diesel
Diesel and gasoline engines have a lot of advantages. They are always available around the world; they are suitable for heavy duty workloads, they deliver consistent power throughout the shift and many operators are quite familiar with the source of power.
Several of the diesel and gas engines disadvantages comprise: they require a lot more maintenance than electric units, due to the emissions they release, they are not suitable to be used indoors, there is some difficulty and cost associated to fluid and oil disposal and they need a re-fueling station on-site if they are going to be in continuous use.