The forklift is a mobile machinery that utilizes 2 prongs or forks to lift and place loads into positions that will be normally difficult to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial forklifts are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse operations. These machinery have smaller tires which are engineered to run on paved surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks 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 engineered to be operated on unpaved and rough surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal alternative for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts generally have large pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, that can carry cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they may use a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during the year 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was utilized around construction locations and can raise to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can lift 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 models available that could raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
During the year 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 22.5 feet or 7 meters 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 unit allowed cargo to be positioned out from the base of the machine both above and below grade.