In warehouse and manufacturing environments, the types of machines which drivers utilize to transport supplies from one location to another are known as forklifts. The machinery carries pallets, also called skids, that are loaded with objects. The lift truck is made with forks that insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes called Pallet Trucks, Lift Trucks, High/Low, Skid Trucks, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
The first forklifts were marketed during the early 1900s by companies such as Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing. Nowadays most supplies are shipped to warehouses and stores on pallets. Forklifts are normally found within manufacturing factories and warehouses, where they are used for the smooth operation of business.
Among the different kinds of pallets or skid lifts are the following: Walkie low lift truck - with electrical motor; Rider low lift truck; Hand pallet truck; IC counterbalanced truck; Telescopic handler; Towing tractor; Sideloader; Walkie stacker; Rider stacker; Slip Sheet machine; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced truck; Walkie Order Picking truck; Rider Order Picking truck - also referred to as "Order Picker"; Articulated Very Narrow Aisle Counterbalanced trucks - also called "Flexi Truck"; Truck Mounted Forklift / Sod Loader; Guided Very Narrow Aisle truck; 'Man Down' - used 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 hybrid is suggested for really narrow aisles because it is capable of onloading and offloading within 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 flat and even floors.