
There are in actual fact two distinctive categories of lift trucks within the material handling industry, the industrial model and the rough terrain model. Rough terrain forklifts first arrived on the market in the 1940's and had been predominantly used on irregular roads, perfect for places where no covered surfaces were accessible, like construction sites and lumberyards.
Typically, nearly all rough terrain forklifts are run on a propane, diesel or gas driven internal combustion engines with a battery used for power. Several manufacturers are playing with rough ground forklifts that make use of vegetable matter and run from ethanol. Huge pneumatic tires with deep treads characterize these vehicles to permit them to clutch onto the roughest ground type devoid of any slippage or drifting.
A number of of the first models of rough ground lift trucks had the capability to lift in excess of 1000 lbs, via blades that could slide beneath the item, haul it slightly and move it to an alternate location. After ten years on the market, all terrain lift trucks were augmented with additional hauling muscle, increasing the potential cargo to more than 2000 lbs. Telescoping booms were added in the 1960’s, enabling them to stack materials much higher than in earlier years. The telescoping model characteristic is a staple of nearly all all terrain lift trucks these days. Present designs are capable of managing well over 4000 lbs thanks to the constant enhancements through the years. Telescoping ability has also improved with some designs reaching a height of 35 feet. Worker safety has also become a focus with many all terrain forklifts now designed are fitted with an enclosed cab for the operator, as opposed to the older open air seating capacity.
The all terrain forklifts on the market today both perform well on unpaved surfaces and paved floors. This kind of all terrain lift truck is marketed for its’ flexibility allowing the opportunity for corporations to utilize one unit to carry supplies from an outside working site into a warehouse.