The forklift is a mobile machine that utilizes 2 prongs or forks to lift and place cargo into positions which will be usually hard to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most often, industrial forklifts are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
Smaller lift trucks may run off an internal battery charging an electric motor. And as the name implies, the rough terrain lift truck is engineered to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal option for military and construction operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying loads up and out from the machine's base or they can use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
During 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial machinery was utilized around construction locations and was able to lift to a height of 76 cm or 30 inches 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 popular 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 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in the year 1958. It offered 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 during the year 1962. This particular model allowed loads to be placed out from the base of the machinery both below and above grade.