Forklifts are machines which forklift drivers utilize to shuttle supplies from one place to another in manufacturing and warehouse environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also referred to as skids, which are loaded with things. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes referred to as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies such as Yale & Towne manufacturing and Clark marketed the very first forklifts in the early 1900s. These days most supplies are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are commonly found inside manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are utilized to operate the business smoothly.
The following are some of the different kinds of pallet or skid lifts: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; IC counterbalanced truck; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also known as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also referred to as "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 kind of counterbalanced forklift truck which is used for specialized applications. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it could offload and onload in really tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" type can lift up to 30 meters high. These trucks are available in man down and man-riser models. This machine must only be used on even and flat floors.