In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the kinds of equipment that drivers utilize to transport supplies from one location to another are referred to as forklifts. The machine lifts pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with things. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Sometimes, forklifts are also called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were marketed during the early 1900s by companies such as Yale & Towne Manufacturing and Clark. These days the majority of supplies stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are usually found within warehouses and manufacturing factories, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
Amongst the different kinds of skid lifts or pallets are the following: Hand pallet truck; Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; 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' - 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 very narrow aisles because it is capable of onloading and offloading within 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" type. These trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This machinery should be used only on even and flat floors.