There are in actual fact two different classifications of lift trucks within the materials handling market, the industrial model and the rough terrain model. Rough terrain lift trucks first came on the marketplace in the 1940's and had been predominantly utilized on uneven surfaces, perfect for places where no paved surfaces were available, like construction sites and lumberyards.
Usually, nearly all rough terrain forklifts are run on a propane, diesel or gas driven internal combustion engines with a battery used for power. Many suppliers are playing with rough ground forklifts that make use of vegetable matter and run from ethanol. Huge pneumatic tires with deep treads typify these forklifts to allow them to latch onto the roughest ground type devoid of any misstep or drifting.
Many of the original versions of rough terrain lift trucks had the ability to raise in excess of 1000 lbs, by means of blades that could pass underneath the item, haul it slightly and shift it to an alternate site. After more than ten years on the market, rough terrain lift trucks were augmented with supplementary hauling power, increasing the potential weight to more than 2000 lbs. In the 1960's telescoping booms were added, permitting them to stack resources much higher than in preceding years. The telescoping design feature is a staple of nearly all rough terrain forklifts nowadays. Present styles are capable of managing well over 4000 lbs due to the continuous improvements through the years. Telescoping capability has additionally improved with some styles achieving a height of 35 feet. Operator safety has also become a focus with many all terrain lift trucks now constructed are outfitted with an enclosed cab for the driver, as opposed to the older open air seating capacity.
The all terrain lift trucks offered today work equally as well on covered floors as on unpaved surfaces. These all terrain lift trucks are being marketed for their versatility enabling companies to transport parts from outside the facility to the inside or vice versa.