Forklifts are mobile equipment which utilize 2 prongs or forks to be able to place cargo into positions which will normally be hard to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial forklifts are used around train loading docks and truck 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 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 rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the great alternative for construction and military applications. Rough terrain lift trucks usually have big pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, that could carry loads up and out from the base of the machinery or they can utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
In 1946, the rough terrain lift truck emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machine was utilized around construction locations and can 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 application and rough terrain forklifts became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units that could lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during the year 1958. It offered a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. 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 model allowed cargo to be positioned out from the base of the equipment both above and below grade.