Forklifts are mobile equipment which utilize 2 forks or prongs to be able to place cargo into positions that will normally be difficult to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These machinery have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts 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 lift truck is designed to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Usually, they are the great option for military and construction applications. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have big pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, which can lift loads up and out from the equipment's base or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
During 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 was able to 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 application and rough terrain lift trucks became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during the year 1962. This specific unit allowed loads to be placed out from the machine's base both below and above grade.