Forklifts are mobile machines which use 2 forks or prongs in order to place loads into positions which will normally be hard to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires which are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
Smaller forklifts may run off an internal battery charging an electric motor. And as the name implies, the rough terrain forklift is designed to be operated on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the great alternative for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units could have a telescoping boom, that can lift cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
In 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 can raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity can lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that can lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
During the year 1958, the original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg 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 in the year 1962. This particular model enabled loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both below and above grade.