The lift truck is a mobile machinery which utilizes 2 forks or prongs to lift and place loads into positions which will be normally difficult to reach. Normally, lift trucks fall into 2 main categories: rough-terrain and industrial.
Most commonly, industrial lift trucks are used around truck loading docks and train loading docks in addition to in warehouse applications. These machines have smaller tires that are engineered to run on smooth surfaces. Typically, industrial lift trucks are powered by an internal gasoline engine running on propane or diesel fuel.
Smaller lift trucks may run off an internal battery charging an electric motor. And as the name implies, the rough terrain forklift is engineered to be operated on rough and unpaved surfaces. Usually, they are the ideal choice for construction and military operation. Rough terrain forklifts usually have big pneumatic tires which are generally powered by internal industrial engines which run on propane, diesel or propane fuel. These lift truck models can have a telescoping boom, which could carry cargo up and out from the equipment's base or they could utilize a vertical tower, which is responsible for lifting loads 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 machinery was used around construction sites and was able to raise to a height of 76 centimeters or 30 inches and had a lifting capacity can lift 1000 pounds or 454 kg. Vertical tower forklifts were quickly developed for industrial use and rough terrain forklifts became popular too. By the time the 1950s came around, there were available units that 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 first 4-wheel drive rough terrain forklift was introduced with a capacity of 6000 lbs. or 2724 kg and had a lift height of 22.5 feet or 7 meters or 3000 lbs. or 1362 kg and 11 meters or 35 feet. The first telescoping boom rough terrain lift truck emerged on the market during the year 1962. This particular unit allowed cargo to be placed out from the base of the machine both below and above grade.