Lift trucks were launched onto the market during the start of the 20th Century. These machines have played a hugely powerful role in the recycling industry and have also changed the material handling industry. The considerations for safe use, the lift truck's evolution and the many different kinds are discussed below.
History of Lift Trucks
These powered industrial trucks, also referred to as forklifts and lift trucks, were created and introduced to the market in the latter part of the 19th century. Initially, these models were low lift trucks that were just capable of raising platforms a few inches high. Generally, these machines were used for moving material inside a shop, like work-in-progress situations. During the late 1910s, high lift trucks initially emerged and improvements in truck design began to take root from there. The tier trucks eventually developed and this allowed for better storage efficiency and stacking of loads.
During the 1930s, there were some extremely hard economic times. Then again, in this specific period, labor was freely available but money for investment was more and more difficult to come by. This situation significantly slowed the growth of lift truck usage.
Forklifts became a very strategic part of the World War II war effort since the vast shortages in manpower in that time occurred as a resulting of enlistment of thousands of men. It was discovered that its operator and the lift truck can deal with the work of many men and were extremely productive. As the War continued, a lot of women drivers filled the many demands. When the war was over, lift trucks became a mainstay of the material handling business. They were used a lot in the Pacific war efforts. A few of the leftover pallets and forklifts in Australia left behind by the United States Military became the basis for the CHEP or Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, who today is known as the world's biggest pallet pooling business.
Gasoline/Diesel
There are many benefits to using a diesel or gas powered engine. They are readily available around the globe; they deliver consistent power throughout the shift, they are suitable for heavy duty workloads and numerous operators are quite familiar with the source of power.
Some of the diesel and gas engines disadvantages include: they require a lot more maintenance compared to electric versions, due to the emissions they release, they are not suitable to be utilized inside, there is some difficulty and cost associated to disposal of fluid and oil and they require a re-fueling post on-site if they are going to be used always.