Classification of Forklift Trucks
For little under a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even today, this type of equipment is found in each and every warehouse operation all over the world.
The first forklifts were made because of manpower shortages which were caused by WWI. Businesses like Clark and Yale & Town introduced the material handling machine which used powered lift tractors in their plants. In the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these machinery and began selling them.
It was during the 1920s that the design of forklifts changed from a basic tractor with an attachment to a dedicated equipment that was equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more advanced with WWII. The forklift played an essential role during this time in the handling of supplies for different armies all over the world. It was also during this time that wooden pallets were introduced which solidified the need for the lift truck in the material handling industry.
Once the Second World War ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. In the 1950s, forklifts that utilize batteries made an appearance. There were other more specialized types of forklifts introduced such as the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This model was made by the Raymond Corporation. In the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made within the electronic controls area. This made forklifts a lot more versatile and companies were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
Nowadays, the forklift can be powered by various fuel options like diesel, electrical battery, gasoline, compressed natural gas or CNG, LPG or liquid propane gas. The very first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It presently runs on diesel battery and lithium ion. This particular type utilizes 39 percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics show that its carbon dioxide emissions are around 14.6 tons less compared to those forklift models which are powered by internal combustion or IC engines.