Forklifts are mobile equipment which utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place cargo into positions which would typically be difficult to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial lift trucks are most often utilized around truck and train loading docks in addition to many warehouse applications. These machinery have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck units which utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal alternative for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models can have a telescoping boom, which can lift cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they may use a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads 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 first machine was used around construction locations and could raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity can carry 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which can lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during the year 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during 1962. This specific unit enabled cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both above and below grade.