The forklift is a mobile equipment which uses 2 forks or prongs to lift and place loads into positions that would be usually difficult to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial forklifts are most often used around truck and train loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse applications. These equipment have smaller tires which are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial forklift models that use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are designed to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks usually have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, that can lift loads up and out from the machine's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads 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 can 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 lift trucks became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available which could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
During 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 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This model enabled loads to be positioned out from the base of the equipment both above and below grade.