Forklifts are machinery that forklift operators use to shuttle supplies from one place to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery lifts pallets, also called skids, which are loaded with things. The lift truck is made with forks which insert into the pallet rungs. Forklifts are also sometimes known as as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies like Yale & Towne manufacturing and Clark sold the first forklifts during the early part of the 1900s. These days nearly all goods stores on pallets and are shipped to warehouses. Forklifts are usually found inside warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are utilized for the smooth operation of business.
The following are among the various types of skid lifts or pallets: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Walkie stacker; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking 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, such as the articulated counterbalance truck. This particular hybrid is recommended for really narrow aisles because it could onload and offload in very tight spaces.
Capable if lifting as high as 12 meters are the Guided Vary Narrow Aisle Trucks. The "non top-tied" kind can lift up to 30 meters high. These trucks are available in man-riser and man-down models. This machinery must only be used on floors which are even and flat.