There are in actual fact two unique classifications of lift trucks within the material handling industry, the industrial model and the rough terrain model. Rough terrain lift trucks first came on the marketplace in the 1940's and were primarily used on rough surfaces, perfect for places where no paved roads were accessible, like building sites and lumberyards.
Typically, nearly all rough terrain forklifts are run on a propane, diesel or gasoline powered internal combustion engines with a battery used for power. A number of makers are playing with rough land forklifts that utilize vegetable matter and run from ethanol. Huge pneumatic tires with deep treads characterize these lift trucks to permit them to grab onto the roughest ground type without any slippage or shifting.
The earliest designs of rough terrain forklifts were able to transport weights of up to 1000 lbs, using blades that could slide under the item, lift it a tiny bit and then move it to another location. After a decade on the market, rough terrain vehicles were given additional shipping power to about 2000 lbs capacity. Telescoping booms were added in the 1960â??s, allowing them to stack materials a great deal higher than in earlier years. The telescoping model characteristic is a staple of nearly all rough terrain forklifts at the moment. Present designs are capable of managing well over 4000 lbs thanks to the continual improvements over the years. Telescoping capability has also improved with some styles achieving a height of 35 feet. Worker safety has also become a focus with many rough terrain forklifts now manufactured are outfitted with an enclosed cab for the driver, versus the older open air seating capacity.
The rough terrain forklifts available today work just as well on paved floors as on unpaved surfaces. These all terrain forklifts are being marketed for their adaptability permitting companies to transfer components from outside the plant to the inside or vice versa.