Forklift Truck Classification
For less than a century, the forklift truck has been working its magic. Even now, this particular kind of equipment is found in each and every warehouse operation all around the globe.
The first forklifts were built as a result of manpower shortages which were caused by WWI. Businesses like for instance Clark and Yale & Town introduced the material handling equipment which utilized powered lift tractors inside their factories. During the year 1918, Clark saw the potential for these equipment and started selling them.
It was in the 1920s that the design of forklifts evolved from a basic tractor with an attachment to a dedicated machinery that was equipped with a vertical lifting mast. The forklift developed and became more sophisticated with the Second World War. The forklift played a key role during this time in the handling of materials for different armies throughout the globe. It was also at this time that wooden pallets were introduced that proved the need for the lift truck in the material handling business.
Forklifts gained momentum and continued to develop as soon as WWII ended. During the 1950s, battery driven forklifts made an appearance. There were other more specialized kinds of forklifts introduced such as the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This particular type was made by the Raymond Corporation. In the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made in the electronic controls area. This made forklifts a lot more versatile and companies were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
There are various options you can utilize to power a forklift today. These include diesel, electrical battery, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, LPG or liquid propane gas. The first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It now operates on lithium ion and diesel battery. This particular model uses 39% less fuel than existing models. Statistics prove that its carbon dioxide emissions are around 14.6 tons less than those kinds of forklifts which are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.