Lift trucks are mobile equipment that use 2 forks or prongs to be able to place cargo into positions that will usually be hard to reach. Normally, forklifts fall into 2 major categories: industrial and rough-terrain.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks along with in warehouse operations. These machinery have smaller tires which are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
There are several smaller industrial lift truck models which use an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain forklifts are engineered to run on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal choice for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts normally have big pneumatic tires which are normally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models could have a telescoping boom, capable of lifting cargo up and out from the base of the machine or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for carrying 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 machine was used around construction sites and was able to lift to a height of 76 cm or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were rapidly developed for industrial use and rough terrain lift trucks became famous as well. By the time the 1950s came around, there were units available that could raise up to heights of 30 feet or 9 meters and had lift capacities of 1135 kg or 2500 lbs.
During 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 first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market in 1962. This particular model enabled cargo to be positioned out from the machine's base both above and below grade.