Forklifts are mobile machines which utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place loads into positions that would normally be hard to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse applications. These machinery have smaller tires that are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the great option for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts usually have big pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models can have a telescoping boom, that can carry cargo up and out from the machine's base or they can use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
In 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial equipment was utilized around construction locations and was able to raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity can carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units that can lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during the year 1958. It offered a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This particular unit enabled loads to be positioned out from the base of the equipment both below and above grade.