Rough Terrain Forklifts

There are actually two different categories 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 were predominantly used on irregular surfaces, best for areas where no paved roads were accessible, like building sites and lumberyards.

Rough terrain lift trucks normally employ an internal combustion engine with a battery for power. The engines can function on propane, diesel or gasoline. A number of suppliers are experimenting with rough land forklifts that consume vegetable matter and run from ethanol. Large pneumatic tires with deep treads typify these vehicles to allow them to grasp onto the roughest soil type devoid of any slippage or sliding.

The most primitive models of all terrain forklifts were able to transport weights of up to 1000 lbs, using blades that could slide beneath the item, lift it a tiny bit and then transport it to another location. After a decade on the market, rough terrain lift trucks had been given additional hauling strength to about 2000 lbs capacity. In the 1960's telescoping booms were added, allowing them to stack supplies much higher than in previous years. The telescoping model characteristic is a staple of most all terrain lift trucks these days. Present models are capable of managing well over 4000 lbs thanks to the continued enhancements over time. Telescoping ability has also improved with some styles reaching a height of 35 feet. Operator safety has also become a focus with some all terrain lift trucks now built are outfitted with an enclosed cab for the driver, versus the older open air seating capacity.

The rough terrain lift trucks offered these days work just as well on covered floors as on unpaved roads. These rough terrain lift trucks are being marketed for their versatility enabling establishments to transfer parts from outside the plant to the inside or vice versa.

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