Forklifts are machines which forklift operators use to shuttle supplies from one location to another in warehouse and manufacturing environments. The machinery carries pallets, also referred to as skids, which are loaded with objects. The lift truck is designed with forks which insert into the rungs of the pallet. Forklifts are also sometimes known as as Lift Trucks, Pallet Trucks, Skid Trucks, High/Low, Stacker-Trucks and Side Loaders.
Companies like Clark and Yale & Towne Manufacturing advertised the very first forklifts in the early 1900s. Nowadays the majority of goods stores on pallets and are delivered to warehouses. Forklifts are normally found within warehouses and manufacturing plants, where they are depended upon to operate the business smoothly.
Amongst the various kinds of skid lifts or pallets are as follows: 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; Walkie Order Picking truck; Reach truck; Electric counterbalanced 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' - used for narrow aisles; and 'Man Riser' Combination Order Picker/ Stacker truck
There are counterbalanced forklift trucks available for specialized uses, like for example the articulated counterbalance truck. This particular hybrid is recommended for very narrow aisles as it can onload and offload in 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 equipment should be used only on floors which are flat and even.