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