Forklifts were introduced onto the market during the start of the 20th Century. These machinery have played a tremendously powerful part within the recycling business and have also revolutionized the material handling business. The factors for safe utilization, the forklift's evolution and the various different types are discussed below.
History of Lift Trucks
Powered industrial trucks are also known as lift trucks and forklifts, were originally introduced and invented in the latter part of the 19th Century. These first models were low lift trucks that could raise platforms just a few inches high. Generally, these types of equipment were used for moving supplies in a store, such as work-in-progress situations. In the latter part of 1910s, high lift trucks first emerged and truck design enhancements began to take root from there. The tier trucks eventually evolved and this allowed for greater storage effectiveness and stacking of loads.
In the 1930s, there were some extremely difficult economic times. Then again, throughout this specific time, labor was freely available but capital for investment was increasingly more difficult to come by. This situation greatly slowed the growth of forklift usage.
During World War II, lift trucks became a strategic part of the war effort. During that period, vast shortages in manpower occurred resulting from the wartime enlistment. It was found that a lift truck and its driver were extremely productive and can deal with the work of numerous men. As the War continued, a lot of women operators filled the numerous demands. When the war was over, lift trucks became a mainstay of the material handling industry. They were used a lot in the Pacific war efforts. Several of the leftover pallets and forklifts in Australia left behind by the U.S. Military became the basis for the CHEP or Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, who today is referred to as the biggest pallet pooling business in the world.
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline and diesel engines have many advantages. They are always available all around the world; they are perfect for heavy duty workloads, they deliver consistent power throughout the shift and many drivers are quite familiar with the source of power.
Some of the major drawbacks of gasoline and diesel models comprise: they require a lot more maintenance than electric units, due to the emissions they release, they are not appropriate for indoor applications, there is some cost and difficulty connected to disposal of oil and fluid and they require a re-fueling station on-site if they are going to be in continuous use.