Forklifts were launched onto the market during the beginning of the 20th Century. These equipment have played a tremendously powerful part within the recycling industry and have also changed the material handling industry. 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 forklifts and lift trucks, were initially launched and created in the late 19th Century. These first models were low lift trucks that can raise platforms just several inches from the ground. Generally, these equipment were used for moving material in a shop, such as work-in-progress situations. During the latter part of 1910s, high lift trucks first emerged and improvements in truck design started to take root from there. The tier trucks ultimately developed and this allowed for greater storage efficiency and stacking of loads.
There were really tough economic times in the 1930s. However, during this time, labor was freely available but capital for investment was more and more difficult to come by. This situation greatly slowed the growth of lift truck usage.
Forklifts became a really strategic part of the WWII war effort because the vast shortages in manpower during that time happened as a resulting of enlistment of thousands of men. It was found that its operator and the forklift were very productive and can handle the work of numerous men. As the War continued, many women drivers filled the numerous demands. When the war was over, forklifts became a mainstay of the material handling business. They were used a lot in the Pacific war efforts. Several of the leftover pallets and lift trucks within Australia left behind by the U.S. Military became the basis for the CHEP or Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, who today is known as the world's biggest pallet pooling company.
Diesel/Gasoline
There are numerous benefits to utilizing a gas or diesel powered engine. They are always available around the world; they are perfect for heavy duty workloads, they deliver consistent power throughout the shift and lots of operators are quite familiar with the source of power.
Some of the diesel and gas engines disadvantages include: they require much more maintenance than electric versions, due to the emissions they release, they are not appropriate for indoor applications, there is some cost and difficulty associated to oil and fluid disposal and they need a re-fueling post on-site if they are going to be in continuous use.