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If you need a forklift for outdoor work on a construction site or for agricultural applications, you need an all-terrain forklift. Below, we describe the many benefits of choosing an all-terrain forklift for outdoor applications, the different types of all-terrain truck lifts, and more.
What Is an All-Terrain Forklift?
Before we get into the many advantages that all-terrain forklifts offer for certain applications, we should explain what an all-terrain forklift is. Also referred to as a rough-terrain forklift, all-terrain truck lifts are specially modified and engineered to operate in difficult and harsh outdoor conditions.
While we often see forklifts zipping around warehouses on smooth, concrete floors to move supplies and equipment, there are many applications where a forklift is needed to venture into less forgiving working conditions. All-terrain forklifts come with special features and modifications that allow them to work in construction sites, lumber yards, or any other outdoor application that may need a forklift.
Advantages of All-Terrain Forklifts
Better Tires
One of the most noticeable differences between a normal forklift meant for indoor warehouse duty and an all-terrain forklift is the tires. Rough-terrain truck lifts must operate on harsh surfaces like gravel, dirt, or sand; typical forklift tires would struggle on such surfaces.
All-terrain forklifts come with special, heavy-duty tires with deeper grooves for enhanced traction and durability in even the toughest environments. There are two types of tires for rough-terrain truck lifts: solid pneumatic tires that are puncture-proof and foam/air-filled pneumatic tires that are not as durable but can work indoors and in most outdoor applications.
Diesel Engine
While classes one through three of forklifts are battery-powered electric truck lifts, all-terrain forklifts need a bit more muscle and power and are therefore equipped with diesel engines. The greater power output of the diesel engine in rough-terrain forklifts gives them greater acceleration and power to get the job done in more difficult circumstances than typical forklifts.
The diesel engine is also convenient for forklift operators that use the truck lift for applications like construction, roadwork, or agriculture and operate in rural or isolated areas away from an electrical power source. While an electric forklift typically has a battery life of eight hours, a diesel forklift can keep running as long as it has enough fuel.
Greater Traction and Control
Rough-terrain forklifts also have the advantage of an optimized drivetrain for greater traction and control on uneven and rugged surfaces. Most standard forklifts for indoor and warehouse use are rear-wheel drives.
All-terrain forklifts can’t rely on the comfortable working conditions that most truck lifts see, so most are either front-wheel drive with a four-wheel drive option or all-wheel drive. With the available drivetrain options, all-terrain forklifts can rough it over the toughest terrain without worrying about getting stuck in the mud, sand, or gravel.
Increased Ground Clearance
Another way that all-terrain forklifts are different from typical truck lifts is their increased ground clearance. A rough-terrain forklift may have to scale steep crests and hills when working in an outdoor environment like a construction site or roadwork site, and if it doesn’t have sufficient ground clearance, it can get stuck or damaged quickly.
All rough-terrain forklifts offer greater ground clearance to avoid bottoming out—typically around a foot of clearance, while most forklifts have just four inches. The extra ground clearance also helps the truck lift’s balance and improves traction in slick and tough terrain.
More Attachment Options
Rough-terrain forklifts also have numerous attachment options and modifications available for operators who need to change the typical forks for a different application. All-terrain forklift attachments are especially useful for construction sites and other environments where a forklift is required to perform multiple duties.
Buckets for telehandler forks allow operators to easily move materials like dirt, sand, and gravel for transportation or site clean-up. Carriage attachments for all-terrain forklifts allow operators to efficiently handle awkwardly shaped loads for handling equipment and various materials. Whatever you need to get the job done, there’s likely a forklift attachment available to help.
Less Maintenance Required
Another benefit of choosing an all-terrain forklift is that they’re much more durable than other truck lifts and often require much less maintenance and repairs. If a forklift breaks down during work, it can halt the entire operation while parts are repaired or replaced, so operators in tough environments want the most durable truck lifts available.
Rough-terrain forklifts are built to withstand the most punishing conditions and difficult work environments without breaking down. But if your forklift ever does break down and you need aftermarket forklift parts, Intella Parts can ensure you get high-quality parts at an affordable price!
Types of Rough-Terrain Forklifts
While all rough-terrain forklifts feature many benefits, not every all-terrain truck lift is the same. There are three common types of all-terrain forklifts: vertical-mast, variable-reach, and truck/trailer-mounted, each offering unique advantages for certain applications.
Vertical-Mast All-Terrain Forklifts
Vertical-mast rough-terrain forklifts are ideal for applications that require frequent lifting of loads straight up and down. While that may sound like something all forklifts can do, these forklifts aren’t for indoor use and don’t offer free lift capabilities.
Vertical-mast all-terrain forklifts feature two small rear tires and two large front tires to give the truck lift better balance when lifting heavy loads on uneven surfaces. These truck lifts are commonly found on construction sites, roadwork sites, and dockyards.
Variable-Reach All-Terrain Forklifts
Variable-reach all-terrain forklifts are also known as telehandlers and feature a telescopic boom lift at the front that can extend to various heights. The advantage of these truck lifts is that they can lift and move loads in multiple directions and come with outriggers for better stability.
The horizontal reach of variable-reach forklifts makes them most useful in construction, masonry, and agricultural applications.
Truck/Trailer-Mounted All-Terrain Forklift
Lastly, there’s the truck/trailer-mounted rough-terrain truck lift. As the name suggests, these lifts are mounted to a vehicle or trailer for easy transportation and typically only come with three tires—two in the front and one on the back.
These rough-terrain forklifts are best utilized in applications that require constant loading and unloading, like recycling and distribution. Not all truck/trailer-mounted forklifts are rated for rough-terrain work, so ensure you get a certified model to operate in all terrains before use.
Where To Find Aftermarket Parts for All-Terrain Forklifts
We hope our guide has helped you understand the advantages of all-terrain forklifts. If you ever need to replace a part or add an accessory or modification to your forklift, Intella Parts has a massive selection of parts from renowned brands like Toyota, Hyster, Caterpillar, and more. Contact our staff if you need help finding the right part for your forklift.
