The forklift is a mobile machine that utilizes 2 prongs or forks to carry and place cargo into positions that would be normally difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial forklifts are most often used around train and truck loading docks in addition to a lot of warehouse operation. These machines have smaller tires that are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck models which utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal choice for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have big pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during 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 can lift to a height of 76 cm 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 popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available models that can raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
In the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck was introduced with 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 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during the year 1962. This model allowed loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both below and above grade.