| PRC (Pennsylvania Railroad Company) first used a | | | | Toyota had developed and introduced its first |
| battery powered platform truck at its district train | | | | forklift model. Toyota's Model LA was initially |
| station in 1906. What started out as a little | | | | only available in Japan. In 1967, Toyota finally |
| in-house venture, has now turned into a fledgling | | | | brought the Model LA to the United States. |
| forklift industry. Forklifts employed in today's | | | | We now find different specialty forklifts operating |
| industries are customized to accomplish specific | | | | in factories today. From your basic forklift that |
| tasks within that particular industry. In fact, the | | | | you would find operated by your local grocery |
| forklift certification business is an industry by | | | | store, to the counterbalanced forklift trucks that |
| itself. Below we outline some of the other | | | | are found at industrial sites. Some of the more |
| significant events in the life of the Forklift. | | | | specialized trucks are listed below. |
| During the first world war many advancements | | | | Articulated Counterbalance Trucks (ACT) |
| were made. Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries of | | | | The ACT truck is a front wheel steer that is able |
| Ipswich started producing different types of | | | | to offload trailers and place the load in narrow |
| materials handling equipment. One of the primary | | | | aisle racking. Due to their storage density and lift |
| reasons for the development of this type of | | | | height capabilities, the ACT trucks can now |
| equipment was due, in part, to the labor | | | | compete with GVNA trucks. |
| shortages caused by the war. Further | | | | Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks (GVNA) |
| development of the forklift continued through the | | | | The GVNA trucks are usually wire or rail guided. |
| 1920s and 1930s. World War II, like World War I | | | | This type of truck, unlike ANAT trucks, requires a |
| before, expanded the use of forklift trucks | | | | higher standard of floor flatness. |
| worldwide. Following the war, more efficient | | | | EP Trucks (Explosion Proof) |
| methods for storing products in warehouses were | | | | Explosion proof trucks are found chemical plants, |
| being implemented. Warehouses needed more | | | | petrochemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, and |
| maneuverable forklift trucks that could reach | | | | other industries that handle flammable materials. In |
| greater heights. New forklift models were | | | | North America, internal combustion powered |
| developed to fill this growing market. By 1956, | | | | industrial vehicles carry Underwriters Laboratories |
| Toyota had developed and introduced its first | | | | ratings that are part of UL 558. Industrial trucks |
| forklift model. Toyota's Model LA was initially | | | | that are considered "explosion proof" carry the |
| only available in Japan. In 1967, Toyota finally | | | | designations GS for gasoline powered, DS for |
| brought the Model LA to the United States. | | | | diesel powered, LPS for liquified propane or GS |
| During the first world war many advancements | | | | LPS for a dual fuel gasoline/liquified propane |
| were made. Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries of | | | | powered truck. |
| Ipswich started producing different types of | | | | Learning how to operate a Forklift |
| materials handling equipment. One of the primary | | | | According to Forklift Kelowna, most forklifts have |
| reasons for the development of this type of | | | | rear-wheel steering to help with maneuvering in |
| equipment was due, in part, to the labor | | | | tight corners. However, with the extra |
| shortages caused by the war. Further | | | | maneuverability comes instability. A forklift driver |
| development of the forklift continued through the | | | | will experience an ever changing centre of gravity |
| 1920s and 1930s. World War II, like World War I | | | | with every movement of the load. A forklift |
| before, expanded the use of forklift trucks | | | | driver must never turn at a high rate of speed |
| worldwide. Following the war, more efficient | | | | while the load is raised. Centrifugal and gravitational |
| methods for storing products in warehouses were | | | | forces will cause the forklift to tip over at speeds |
| being implemented. Warehouses needed more | | | | in excess of recommendations. Forklifts are also |
| maneuverable forklift trucks that could reach | | | | designed with specified load limits for the forks. A |
| greater heights. New forklift models were | | | | loading plate for loading reference is usually |
| developed to fill this growing market. By 1956, | | | | located on the forklift. |