Lift trucks are mobile equipment that use 2 forks or prongs in order to place loads into positions which would usually be difficult to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most often, industrial forklifts are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse operations. These equipment have smaller tires that are designed to run on paved surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck models that utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Normally, they are the great alternative for construction and military applications. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have large pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units could have a telescoping boom, that could carry loads up and out from the base of the machinery or they may use a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting loads straight up.
During the year 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 machinery was utilized around construction locations and can lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which can raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
In 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 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during 1962. This unit allowed loads to be placed out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.