Forklifts are mobile machinery which use 2 prongs or forks to be able to place cargo into positions which would normally be difficult to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most often, industrial forklifts are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires which are designed to run on paved surfaces. Usually, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial forklift units which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are designed to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal choice for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models can have a telescoping boom, that could carry cargo up and out from the machine's base or they could use a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged in 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial machine was used around construction sites and can raise to a height of 30 inches or 76 centimeters and had a lifting capacity could lift 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were models available which can lift up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 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 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 11 meters or 35 feet. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during 1962. This unit enabled loads to be placed out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.