Lift trucks are mobile machinery that utilize 2 prongs or forks to be able to place loads into positions which will normally be difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial lift trucks are most commonly used around truck and train loading docks in addition to many warehouse applications. These machinery have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck models which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are engineered to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great alternative for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts normally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying loads up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
The rough terrain lift truck emerged during the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was used around construction locations and could 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 use and rough terrain forklifts became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available which could raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
During 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. 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 model enabled loads to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.