Forklifts are mobile equipment which utilize 2 forks or prongs to be able to place cargo into positions which will usually be difficult to reach. Usually, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are utilized around train loading docks and truck loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These equipment have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck units that utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal choice for military and construction operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they could utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying cargo straight up.
In 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 equipment was used around construction sites and can lift 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 rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which can raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in 1958. It offered a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. and had a lift height of 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in 1962. This specific unit allowed cargo to be positioned out from the machine's base both above and below grade.