Forklifts are mobile machinery that utilize 2 forks or prongs in order to place cargo into positions which would usually be difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial forklifts are most commonly utilized around truck and train loading docks in addition to many warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires that are designed to run on paved surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks 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 designed to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, which can carry loads up and out from the equipment's base or they could use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
During 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 initial equipment 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 lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available that could lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
During 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 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 unit enabled loads to be placed out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.