Lift trucks were introduced onto the market in the start of the 20th Century. These equipment have played a tremendously powerful part within the recycling business and have also revolutionized the material handling industry. The considerations for safe use, the forklift's evolution and the various different types are discussed below.
History of Forklifts
These powered industrial trucks, also known as lift trucks and forklifts, were invented and launched to the market during the latter part of the 19th century. Initially, these units were low lift trucks which were just capable of raising platforms several inches from the ground. Generally, these kinds of machines were used for transporting material within a shop, such as work-in-progress situations. During the latter part of 1910s, high lift trucks first emerged and enhancements in truck design began to take root from there. The tier trucks ultimately evolved and this allowed for better storage effectiveness and stacking of loads.
There were really tough economic times throughout the 1930s. Then again, during this period, labor was freely available but capital for investment was increasingly harder to come by. This situation really slowed the growth of forklift usage.
In World War II, forklifts became a strategic part of the war effort. In that era, vast shortages in manpower happened resulting from the wartime enlistment. It was found that its driver and the lift truck were extremely productive and could handle the work of many men. As the War continued, numerous women operators filled the numerous demands. By the time the war was over, lift trucks 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 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 world's largest pallet pooling business.
Gasoline/Diesel
Diesel and gasoline engines have lots of advantages. They are readily available around the world; they are suitable for heavy duty workloads, they deliver consistent power throughout the shift and many operators are quite familiar with the source of power.
Several of the diesel and gas engines disadvantages comprise: they require much more maintenance compared to electric models, because of the emissions they release, they are not appropriate for indoor applications, there is some cost and difficulty associated to disposal of oil and fluid and they require a re-fueling post on-site if they are going to be used always.