The forklift is a mobile equipment that utilizes 2 prongs or forks to lift and place loads into positions that will be normally difficult to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse applications. These equipment have smaller tires which are designed to run on paved surfaces. Normally, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
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 military and construction applications. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying loads up and out from the base of the machine or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting loads 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 machinery was used around construction locations and can raise to a height of 76 cm 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 lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which could lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
During 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 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in the year 1962. This model allowed loads to be placed out from the base of the equipment both above and below grade.