Forklifts are mobile machinery that utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place cargo into positions that will usually be difficult to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial forklifts are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These equipment have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are some smaller industrial forklift units that use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are designed to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal choice for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts generally have big pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting loads up and out from the machine's base or they could use a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
The rough terrain lift truck emerged in the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial machinery was used around construction sites and could raise to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units which could lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 1958. It offered 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 forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This unit allowed cargo to be placed out from the base of the equipment both above and below grade.