The lift truck is a mobile machinery that uses 2 prongs or forks to lift and place loads into positions which will be usually hard to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial forklifts are utilized around train loading docks and truck loading docks along with 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 lift truck models that utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts generally have large pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, which can lift cargo up and out from the machine's base or they may use a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting cargo 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 machinery was utilized around construction sites and can raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that could raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
In 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift 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 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during 1962. This particular unit allowed loads to be placed out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.