Industrial trucks

They are vehicles powered by hand, gasoline or by electricity which are capable of
transporting materials horizontally between any two points.

One of the characteristics of industrial truck is that,

(1) a truck is able to move from one location to any other location so long as suitable
travelling space is available and its path of travel is not obstructed.

(2) trucks occupy a given amount of space In a given location is required to have a truck
for only as long as the truck is in that location. As soon as the vehicle is moved the space is free
for other uses. A vehicle with hydraulic operated front fork for lifting, transporting and pilling
heavy boxes and other materials is called Fork truck.

Examples of trucks are hand operated truck, tractors, platform truck and forklift truck.

There are other devices for handling varied kinds of material that facilitate loading, unloading
and transport and at the same time minimize risk in the shops, warehouse and equipment yards.
This is particularly true in limited spaces where mechanical powered handling equipment cannot
be used, that resort to manual devices must be done. The most common ones are given below.

1. Two-wheeled hand truck – a 2-wheeled carriage for transporting rapidly few light items
for short distances.
2. Four-wheeled hand trucks – a 4-wheeled platform for pilling, loading and transport for
short distances.
3. Trailers – these are 3’x6’ platform of 4000lb. in capacity with automatic couplers
permitting them to be used in trains.
4. Stackers – an essentially portable elevator made of both the hinge type or telescoping
type used in congested areas.
5. Dollies – small locomotive operating on narrow gauge tracks especially in quarries and
construction sites.