Lift trucks are mobile machines which use 2 prongs or forks in order to place loads into positions which would typically be difficult to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires that are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
Smaller lift trucks 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. Normally, they are the ideal alternative for military and construction applications. Rough terrain forklifts usually have large pneumatic tires that are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models can have a telescoping boom, which can lift cargo up and out from the base of the equipment or they could use 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 locations and was able to lift to a height of 76 cm or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity could carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became popular as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available models that could raise up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
In the year 1958, the first 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck was introduced with a capacity of 2724 kg or 6000 lbs. and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in the year 1962. This unit allowed cargo to be placed out from the base of the machinery both below and above grade.