Forklift Truck Classification
Forklift trucks have been working its magic for around 100 years now. Even now, this type of equipment is found in every warehouse operation all over the world.
Because of World War I, there were shortages of manpower which ed to the creation of the very first forklifts. Businesses like for example Clark and Yale & Town introduced the material handling equipment which utilized powered lift tractors inside their factories. In 1918, Clark saw the potential for these equipment and started selling them.
It was in the 1920s that the forklift design changed from a 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 a key role during this time in the handling of materials for various armies all around the globe. It was also during this time that wooden pallets were introduced which solidified the need for the lift truck within the material handling industry.
Once the Second World War ended, the forklift gained momentum and continued to develop. During the 1950s, battery driven forklifts made an appearance. There were other more specialized forklift models introduced like the Narrow Aisle Reach truck. This particular kind was made by the Raymond Corporation. During the 1960s and 1970s, improvements were made within the electronic controls area. This made forklifts much more versatile and businesses were able to look at warehouse efficiency.
Nowadays, the forklift can be powered by various fuel options like diesel, electrical battery, compressed natural gas or CNG, gasoline, liquid propane gas or LPG. The very first hybrid forklift was developed by Mitsubishi. It currently runs on diesel battery and lithium ion. This particular model consumes 39 percent less fuel compared to existing models. Statistics show that its carbon dioxide emissions are roughly 14.6 tons less than those types of forklifts that are powered by IC or internal combustion engines.