The forklift is a mobile machinery that utilizes 2 prongs or forks to carry and place cargo into positions that would be usually hard to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are several smaller industrial forklift models that utilize 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 option for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units could have a telescoping boom, that can carry cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
In 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machine was used around construction sites and could raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 cm and had a lifting capacity could carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available that can raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in the year 1962. This particular unit allowed cargo to be placed out from the base of the machine both above and below grade.