Rough Terrain Forklifts

There are in fact two different categories of forklifts within the materials handling market, the industrial model and the rough terrain model. Rough terrain lift trucks first came on the market in the 1940's and were being primarily utilized on rough surfaces, perfect for areas where no covered roads were available, like building sites and lumberyards.

Rough terrain forklifts generally employ an internal combustion engine with a battery for power. The engines can operate on propane, diesel or gas. Some manufacturers are experimenting with rough terrain forklifts that make use of vegetable matter and run from ethanol. Substantial pneumatic tires with deep treads characterize these vehicles to allow them to grab onto the roughest soil type devoid of any misstep or shifting.

The initial designs of all terrain lift trucks were able to transport weights of up to 1000 lbs, with blades that could run beneath the item, jack it a slight bit and then transport it to an alternate location. After a decade on the market, rough terrain lift trucks were given supplementary hauling strength to about 2000 lbs capacity. Telescoping booms were added in the 1960’s, permitting them to stack supplies a good deal higher than in previous years. The telescoping design characteristic is a staple of most all terrain forklifts today. Present designs are capable of handling well over 4000 lbs thanks to the continual improvements through the years. Telescoping ability has additionally improved with some models achieving a height of 35 feet. Operator safety has also become a focus with some all terrain lift trucks currently manufactured are equipped with an enclosed cab for the operator, as opposed to the older open air seating capacity.

The rough terrain lift trucks on the market these days both perform skillfully on unpaved roads and paved floors. This kind of all terrain forklift is marketed for its’ flexibility allowing the opportunity for establishments to use one unit to transport materials from an outside working site into a warehouse.

Click to Download the pdf