5 interesting Facts About Forklifts

Forklift trucks are used worldwide in premises of all kinds, and the impact they have had on the efficiency and safety of these premises cannot be overstated.

They have seemingly been around forever and in this article, the team at Euro 1 Training look into some interesting facts about forklifts and how they work.

1. Origins

Forklifts as we know them were invented in the 1960s, but initial iterations of the machine have been around since the early 19th century.

Battery powered lift trucks were developed in 1906, and their usage in the First World War led to their successors – lift trucks used for handling heavy loads. The labour shortages during the war meant that these trucks were required in greater numbers and then by the time World War Two came around, forklift trucks were used.

2. Development

It wasn’t until the 1950s that manufacturers started to design trucks that catered for the need to lift and load objects to and from higher places. Trucks were developed with a lift range of 15.2m, which made warehouses and facilities much safer.

3. Safety

Despite being used for heavy lifting and transporting in busy areas, forklifts are responsible for only 1% of accidents in factories and warehouses. This is partly down to regulating the speed of the forklifts, which is traditionally around 8 mph, but limited to 3 mph in areas containing pedestrians.

4. Battery Power

The early versions of electric forklifts had a very short battery life – they lasted for around eight hours, or the length of one average working shift. Since then, advancements in technology and also efficiency mean that forklifts can be used for long periods of time before needing to be recharged.

5. Engines

Forklifts are now available with a variety of engine and power sources. There are both internal combustion and electric forklifts available, with the internal combustion engine powered by either gasoline, diesel, propane or more recently, LPG. These engines are engineered to provide a level of performance and efficiency that makes the job of operators easier and safer.

6. Bonus Fact!

The forklift that has the highest load capacity is the Kalmar forklift in the UK. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having a load capacity of 90,000kg, which is approximately 198416.04 lbs!

Here at Euro 1 Training, we are proud to offer the finest forklift training services to our customers, utilising over 25 years of experience and a commitment to the best results.

If you would like to know more about us or, to arrange a course, please feel free to get in touch with us today.