Forklifts are mobile machines which utilize 2 prongs or forks to be able to place loads into positions which will normally be difficult to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial forklifts are used around train loading docks and truck loading docks as well as in warehouse applications. These equipment have smaller tires which are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Normally, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are some smaller industrial forklift models that utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal choice for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting loads up and out from the equipment's base or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain lift truck emerged in 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial machine was utilized around construction sites and could lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches 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 famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available that can raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
In 1958, the original 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 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in the year 1962. This model enabled loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both above and below grade.