Forklifts are mobile machines which use 2 prongs or forks in order to place loads into positions that would usually be difficult to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial forklifts are most commonly utilized around truck and train loading docks in addition to many warehouse applications. These machines 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 several smaller industrial lift truck models that 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. Normally, they are the ideal option for military and construction operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they may use a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting loads straight up.
In 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 sites and could raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity could lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that can raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 11 meters or 35 feet. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in the year 1962. This unit allowed cargo to be positioned out from the base of the machine both above and below grade.