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