The forklift is a mobile equipment that uses 2 forks or prongs to lift and place loads into positions that would be normally hard to reach. Typically, forklifts fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial forklifts are used around train loading docks and truck loading docks in addition to in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires that 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 several smaller industrial forklift models which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Normally, they are the ideal option for military and construction applications. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have large pneumatic tires which are usually powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These forklift models could have a telescoping boom, that could lift cargo up and out from the machine's base or they can utilize a vertical tower, that is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
The rough terrain lift truck emerged during 1946, after a 2 pronged lift attachment was attached to a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This initial equipment was used around construction locations and was able to lift to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can carry 454 kg or 1000 pounds. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial application and rough terrain lift trucks became famous too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available models which can lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds or 1135 kg.
In the year 1958, the original 4-wheel drive rough terrain lift truck was introduced with a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 7 meters or 22.5 feet or 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during 1962. This specific unit allowed loads to be placed out from the base of the equipment both above and below grade.