History of the Forklift



A fork lift is a powered industrial truck used to lift and carry materials in warehouses and factories. Today a variety of new and used forklifts are available from forklift dealers. There are new and used forklifts that are powered by diesel, gas or electricity. Modern fork lifts are known for their high performance features and energy efficiency. They are useful in a variety of industrial and domestic applications. So there is growing demand for a new and used fork lift. At this point, it would be interesting to look into the history and evolution of modern forklifts.

It is estimated that most of the developments that led to the modern forklifts occurred from the middle of the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. According to researchers, the first modern forklift was introduced by The Pennsylvania Railroad in 1906. These power trucks were battery operated and were used for moving luggage at the Altoona, Pennsylvania railway station. As a successfully used fork lift, these machines gained sudden popularity and became common machines in many domestic and industrial applications across the country.

However, it was during the World War I, the forklifts found more applications. Significant developments happened in forklifts, especially in the Europe. Convinced by the success of used forklifts in the United States, Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries of Ipswich the famous agricultural equipment maker in the UK, were inspired to manufacture different models of forklifts in the country. These forklifts were used in part to aid in agriculture and a variety of domestic and industrial works as there was severe shortage of workforce owing to the World War.

By then, there was huge demand for both new and used forklifts in the U.S. It was Clark in 1917 in the United States who began developing and using powered tractors and lift trucks in their factories. Following their success more such manufactures were motivated to enter into the power truck business. To join the fray next in the United States were the Towmotor Company in 1919 and Yale & Towne Manufacturing in 1920. These companies succeeded well in the fork lift business and continue to supply both new and used forklift to customers even today.

The 1920s and 1930s saw continued demand for both new and used forklifts all over the world thanks to the industrial developments happening around the world. During the World War II, the demand for forklifts increased; they were used in war efforts as well. Following the war, the used forklifts were deployed at several industrial warehouses and factories as a means to accelerate the production and logistics movement. The latest model of forklifts was introduced by Toyota in 1956. This model, named the Model LA was first introduced in Japan, and was sold first in the United States in 1967.

Today a great variety of new and used fork lift machines are available for a variety of industrial and commercial needs. For interior use, there are the http://www.theforkliftcompany.ne/ electric forklifts that have less emission whereas for outdoor purpose there are the diesel- or gas-operated power trucks. All of these models are available under new and used fork lift categories.