The forklift is a mobile machinery which uses 2 forks or prongs to carry and place cargo into positions that will be usually hard to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse applications. 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.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models which utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift units can have a telescoping boom, which can lift loads up and out from the machine's base or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during 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 76 centimeters or 30 inches 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 popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
In the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in the year 1962. This model enabled loads to be positioned out from the base of the equipment both below and above grade.