Forklifts are mobile machines that utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place loads into positions that would usually be difficult to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial forklifts are most often utilized around train and truck loading docks in addition to many warehouse applications. These machinery have smaller tires that are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are designed to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the great option for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts usually have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial equipment was used around construction locations and can 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 rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available that could raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
In 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 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during the year 1962. This particular model enabled cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.