The forklift is a mobile machine that utilizes 2 forks or prongs to carry and place loads into positions which will be usually hard to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Industrial lift trucks are most commonly utilized around truck and train loading docks in addition to lots of warehouse applications. These machinery have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks 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 unpaved and rough surfaces. Commonly, they are the ideal choice for construction and military operation. Rough terrain lift trucks normally have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, capable of carrying cargo up and out from the machine's base or they may use a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
In 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 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 use and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available which can raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
The first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during 1958. It offered 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 35 feet or 11 meters. The first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during 1962. This model enabled cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.