Lift trucks are mobile machinery that use 2 prongs or forks to be able to place cargo into positions which would normally be hard to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are used around train loading docks and truck loading docks as well as in warehouse applications. These equipment have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models 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. Normally, they are the great alternative for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts usually have big pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting loads up and out from the base of the machinery or they can use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
During 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 initial machine was utilized around construction locations and can 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 rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. 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 pounds.
During the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with 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 first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in the year 1962. This unit enabled loads to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.