Many people may not be aware that there are two classifications for forklifts in the manufacturing world. One is the industrial model, while the other is the rough terrain forklift. Here is some background on the development of rough terrain forklifts, how it is used today, and some examples of the different types of designs that make rough terrain forklifts so important.

The first appearance of rough terrain forklifts was during the mid 1940’s. Unlike their industrial cousins, rough terrain forklifts were designed primarily for use on rough surfaces. This made the units ideal for jobs around construction sites, moving materials around in lumberyards and in general providing lifting power when there was no paved surface available.

Rough terrain forklifts are characterized by large pneumatic tires, usually with deep treads that allow the vehicle to grab onto the roughest of road or ground cover without sliding or slipping. Typically, rough terrain forklifts use an internal combustion engine with a battery for power. The engine may be designed to use regular gasoline, diesel or propane fuel. A few manufacturers are beginning to introduce rough terrain forklifts that run from ethanol produced from vegetable matter.

Some of the first rough terrain forklifts had the ability to lift in excess of a thousand pounds, using blades that could run underneath the item, lift it slightly and move it to another location. Within the first ten years, rough terrain forklifts were enhanced with additional carrying power, increasing the potential load to over two thousand pounds. By the 1960s, telescoping booms were added to rough terrain forklifts, allowing them to stack materials much higher than in years past. The telescoping feature remains a staple of most rough terrain forklifts today.

Continued enhancements over the years have improved the load capacity of rough terrain forklifts, with many models able to handle well over four thousand pounds today. The telescoping ability has also improved, with some units able to telescope to a height of thirty-five feet. Protection for the operator has become more of a focus as well, with many rough terrain forklifts now coming equipped with a small enclosed cab for the driver, rather than the older open air seat.

Some rough terrain forklifts today are marketing as all terrain forklifts. In addition to functioning well on unpaved surfaces, these models of the all terrain forklift also works fine on paved floors as well. This makes it possible to use one unit to transport materials from an outside working area into a warehouse or other finished space.