Lift trucks are mobile equipment which utilize 2 prongs or forks to be able to place cargo into positions which will normally be difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial lift trucks are most often used around truck and train loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse applications. These equipment have smaller tires that are designed to run on paved surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models that utilize 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 military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts generally have big pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
During 1946, the rough terrain lift truck 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 was able to raise to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity could carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available models that can raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
In 1958, the original 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 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 11 meters or 35 feet. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during 1962. This model allowed loads to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.