The lift truck is a mobile equipment that uses 2 forks or prongs to lift and place cargo into positions which would be normally difficult to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most often, industrial lift trucks are utilized around truck loading docks and train loading docks as well as in warehouse operations. These machines have smaller tires which are designed to run on smooth surfaces. Usually, industrial forklifts are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on diesel fuel or propane.
There are several smaller industrial forklift units that utilize an electric motor running off an internal battery. As the name implies, rough terrain lift trucks are designed to run on unpaved and rough surfaces. Normally, they are the great alternative for construction and military applications. Rough terrain lift trucks generally have large pneumatic tires that are generally powered by internal industrial engines that run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck units can have a telescoping boom, that could carry loads up and out from the base of the machine or they may utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting cargo straight up.
During the year 1946, the rough terrain lift truck emerged as a 2 pronged lift attachment was placed on a tractor chassis or a power buggy. This first machinery was utilized around construction locations and can lift 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 models available that could lift up to heights of 9 meters or 30 feet and had lift capacities of 2500 pounds 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 1362 kg or 3000 lbs. and 35 feet or 11 meters. The very first telescoping boom rough terrain forklift emerged on the market during the year 1962. This particular unit allowed cargo to be positioned out from the equipment's base both below and above grade.