Lift trucks are mobile machines which utilize 2 prongs or forks in order to place cargo into positions which would typically be difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial forklifts are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse operations. These machinery have smaller tires that are designed to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models which 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 option for military and construction applications. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, which could lift cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they could utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying cargo 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 first equipment was used around construction sites and can lift to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity can lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available models which could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This particular model allowed loads to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.