Forklifts are mobile machines which utilize 2 forks or prongs to be able to place loads into positions which will typically be hard to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial forklifts are most often used around truck and train loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires which are designed to run on paved surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
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 unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great choice for construction and military applications. Rough terrain forklifts generally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, that could carry loads up and out from the base of the equipment or they can utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
In the year 1946, the rough terrain lift truck emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was used around construction sites and was able to raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could carry 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became popular too. 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 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in 1958. It offered 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 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in 1962. This model allowed loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both below and above grade.