The lift truck is a mobile machine which uses 2 prongs or forks to carry and place cargo into positions which would be normally hard to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial forklifts are used around train loading docks and truck loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires that are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
Smaller forklifts 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. Normally, they are the great alternative for military and construction applications. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have big pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they can use a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was utilized around construction sites and could lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity could carry 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available that could lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 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 forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This unit allowed cargo to be placed out from the equipment's base both above and below grade.