Forklift Truck Classification
For less than a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even now, this particular piece of machinery is found in every warehouse operation throughout the globe.
The first forklifts were made as a result of manpower shortages which were caused by WWI. Companies like Yale & Town and Clark introduced the material handling equipment that used powered lift tractors inside their plants. In the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these machines and started selling them.
From a basic tractor with an attachment, the forklift design evolved in the 1920s, to a dedicated machine equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more advanced with WWII. The forklift played a key part during this time in the handling of supplies for different armies all over the world. It was also during this time that the introduction of the wooden pallet solidified the need for the forklift in the material handling industry.
Lift trucks gained momentum and continued to develop when the Second World War ended. During the 1950s, forklifts which utilize batteries made an appearance. There were other more specialized types of forklifts introduced like for instance the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This type 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 could be powered by various fuel options like electric battery, diesel, gasoline, CNG or compressed natural gas, liquid propane gas or LPG. The very first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It presently operates on diesel battery and lithium ion. This particular model consumes thirty nine percent less fuel than existing models. Statistics prove that its carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 14.6 tons less than those types of forklifts which are powered by internal combustion or IC engines.