Definition of Forklift

First created in the early 1900s, the forklift is a vehicle used in industry for moving objects. Since its creation, the design of the forklift has been diversified and it's now manufactured by a variety of companies.

Features

A forklift is a motor-powered vehicle with an attached pronged platform that can be raised and lowered. The platform can be used to insert under a object and then raised to move the object.

Types

There are seven classes of forklift: electric motor rider trucks (Class 1); electric motor narrow aisle forklift (Class 2); electric motor hand, or hand-rider trucks (Class 3); internal combustion engine trucks, cushion (solid) tires (Class 4); internal combustion engine trucks, pneumatic (air-filled) tires (Class 5); electric & internal combustion engine tractors (Class 6); and rough terrain forklift trucks (Class 7).

Inception

The first forklift in Britain was developed by a company located in Ipswich, Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries, in 1917. The first American version of a forklift was developed by Clark Material Handling Company, also in 1917.

Consideration

Forklift rodeos are held, where forklift operators compete in different skills such as timing challenges and obstacle courses.

Significance

As of 2008, there were six top forklift manufacturers: Toyota Industries, KION Group, Jungheinrich AG, NACCO Industries Inc, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. and Crown Equipment Corporation.

References

• A Brief History of the Forklift in North America
• The History of The Fork Lift Truck Episode 2 - The First Forklifts
• Free Dictionary Forklift

Resources

• Classes of Forklift
• Despite a slowdown in the U.S. market,
• Forklift Rodeo Guide

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Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of cooldudeandy01