Lift trucks are mobile machinery that use 2 forks or prongs to be able to place loads into positions which would normally be hard to reach. Typically, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse operations. These equipment 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. Usually, they are the ideal alternative for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have large pneumatic tires that are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units could have a telescoping boom, that can lift cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they may utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for carrying loads straight up.
The rough terrain forklift emerged during 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machine was used around construction sites and was able to lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity could lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units which could raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 2500 lbs or 1135 kg.
The original 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced during the year 1958. It offered a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg 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 first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in 1962. This model enabled cargo to be positioned out from the base of the machine both above and below grade.