The forklift is a mobile machinery that utilizes 2 forks or prongs to lift and place cargo into positions that will be normally difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
Smaller lift trucks 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. Commonly, they are the ideal alternative for military and construction operation. Rough terrain lift trucks usually have large pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting loads up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting 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 initial equipment was utilized around construction locations and was able to lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity could lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that can raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
In the year 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 the year 1962. This model enabled cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both above and below grade.