The lift truck is a mobile machine that utilizes 2 forks or prongs to lift and place cargo into positions which would be normally difficult to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Industrial lift trucks are most often utilized around train and truck loading docks in addition to many warehouse operation. These machines have smaller tires that 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 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. Commonly, they are the great choice for military and construction operation. Rough terrain forklifts generally have big pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, which can carry cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they could use a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
During 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 machinery was utilized around construction sites and can raise to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use 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 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 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in 1962. This particular model enabled cargo to be placed out from the machine's base both above and below grade.