The forklift is a mobile machine which utilizes 2 prongs or forks to carry and place loads into positions which will be normally hard to reach. Usually, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are used around train loading docks and truck loading docks in addition to in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Normally, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are some smaller industrial lift truck models that utilize 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 construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks usually have big pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models can have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they can utilize 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 sites and could raise to a height of 76 cm or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can carry 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain forklifts became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units which can lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 pounds.
During the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with 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 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market in 1962. This unit enabled loads to be positioned out from the machine's base both below and above grade.