The forklift is a mobile machine that uses 2 prongs or forks to carry and place loads into positions that will be normally difficult to reach. Usually, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These machinery have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck units which utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are designed to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great option for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts normally have big pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, that can lift loads up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying cargo 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 initial machine was used around construction locations and could lift to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity can lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units which can lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
In 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 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg 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 enabled cargo to be placed out from the machine's base both above and below grade.