Lift trucks are mobile equipment which utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place loads into positions which will typically be difficult to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires that are designed to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks 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 forklift is engineered to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, that can carry cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo 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 first machine was utilized around construction locations and can lift to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity can carry 1000 pounds or 454 kg. 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 lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during the year 1958. It offered a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. and had a lift height of 7 meters or 22.5 feet 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 allowed cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both above and below grade.