The forklift is a mobile machinery which uses 2 prongs or forks to lift and place loads into positions which will be normally hard to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial forklifts are utilized around train loading docks and truck loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial forklifts 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 designed to be operated on rough and unpaved surfaces. Commonly, they are the great option for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have big pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, that could carry loads up and out from the base of the equipment or they may utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting loads straight up.
During 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 utilized around construction locations and can raise to a height of 76 cm or 30 inches 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 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.
During 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck 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 11 meters or 35 feet. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during 1962. This particular model allowed loads to be placed out from the machine's base both above and below grade.