The lift truck is a mobile machinery that uses 2 prongs or forks to lift and place loads into positions which would be usually difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial forklifts are most commonly utilized around train and truck loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse operation. These machines have smaller tires that are engineered to run on paved 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 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. Normally, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts usually have large pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines which run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they may utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
During the year 1946, the rough terrain forklift emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial equipment was utilized around construction sites and was able to 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 use and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced in 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 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in 1962. This particular unit enabled loads to be placed out from the machine's base both above and below grade.