Forklifts are mobile equipment that use 2 forks or prongs to be able to place cargo into positions that will typically be difficult to reach. Usually, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial forklifts are most often used around truck and train loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse operation. These machinery have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
Smaller forklifts may run off an internal battery charging an electric motor. And as the name implies, the rough terrain forklift is engineered to be operated on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal choice for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts usually have large pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, which can carry loads up and out from the base of the equipment or they may use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
During 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial equipment was used around construction sites and can raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity can carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units that could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 1958. It offered 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 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in 1962. This unit allowed loads to be placed out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.