Lift trucks are mobile machines which use 2 forks or prongs to be able to place loads into positions which would normally be hard to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial forklifts are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse operations. These equipment have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
Smaller lift trucks may run off an internal battery charging an electric motor. And as the name implies, the rough terrain lift truck is designed to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying loads up and out from the base of the equipment or they may use a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged in the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was used around construction sites and could raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that can lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
In 1958, the original 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck 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 1962. This particular unit enabled cargo to be positioned out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.