Forklifts are mobile machines which utilize 2 forks or prongs to be able to place loads into positions which would typically be hard to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial lift trucks are most commonly utilized around truck and train loading docks in addition to a lot of warehouse operation. These equipment have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial forklift units that use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great option for military and construction applications. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they may use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
In the year 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was used around construction locations and could raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units that could raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
During the year 1958, the original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. 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 very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in 1962. This specific model enabled loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both above and below grade.