The forklift is a mobile equipment that uses 2 prongs or forks to lift and place cargo into positions that would be usually difficult to reach. Typically, 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 machinery have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are several smaller industrial forklift 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. Commonly, they are the ideal choice for military and construction operation. Rough terrain lift trucks usually have large pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying loads up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting loads straight up.
The rough terrain lift truck emerged in the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first equipment was utilized around construction locations and was able to lift to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units which could raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
During the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck was introduced with a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during 1962. This specific model allowed cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.