Table of Contents
What are Rough Terrain Forklifts?
Rough terrain forklifts are most optimal for outdoor construction and surfaces with difficult terrain. These forklift trucks can climb slopes as great as 45 degrees. Manufacturers have models of rough terrain forklifts with load capacities ranging from 4000 to 10000 lbs.
They have a more powerful engine than other types of forklifts, making them reach higher and faster speeds. These forklifts actually resemble a tractor with forks more than the traditional sit-down forklifts.
What are the Features?
Rough terrain forklifts have four-wheel power steering, but it can be changed into two-wheel as well. Four-wheel steering is developed in order for the turning of the vehicle to be more efficient and to increase the automobile’s maneuverability. In a normal two-wheel steering system, the rear wheels do not turn in the direction of the curve, whereas in four-wheel steering the rear wheels turn with the front wheels.
This type of forklift makes use of pneumatic or air-filled tires, as opposed to counterbalance forklifts which use cushion tires. Pneumatic tires are inflatable tires with thicker threads, allowing them to become stable on uneven surfaces. The air pressure inside the tire is greater than that of the atmosphere. This leads to the tire still remaining inflated even when the vehicle’s weight is resting on it. Some models have a programmable power reversal feature which eliminates tire spin and increases tire life by a maximum of 50%. This is helpful especially when dealing with different types of environments – from even surfaces to rough and harsh settings.
Options and accessories include a vehicle management system, rust proof model, a foot directional control pedal, and an integral side shifting fork positioner. Having a vehicle management system enables the operator to track impacts and maintenance schedules for the forklift. Having a rust proof model offers protection on the forklift components that are exposed to moisture and corrosive elements since these are very prone to rust. A side-shifting fork positioner adds a side shifter as a third function and the fork positioner as the fourth. Having this option allows faster adjustment of the fork width. Lastly, the foot directional control pedal makes the directional control hands-free.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the advantages of the rough terrain forklift is that it has more controllable cornering stability even in harsh environments. It has a more accurate steering response and precision. Using this type of forklift makes it easier to change lanes at high speed without the risk of the vehicle from going into a spin.
Disadvantages include having a more expensive construction since vehicles with four-wheel steering cost more. Alongside with the pricey construction also comes the higher maintenance cost. Another possible hazard to take note of is the puncture of the vehicle’s pneumatic tires.
Rough terrain forklifts are perfect for moving heavy loads across rugged terrains. The calibrated counterbalance at the back of the forklift avoids it from becoming overbalanced. Because of this, these rough terrain trucks can easily be operated in harsh environments like mud, ice, or snow. These forklift trucks can be used in a lumber yard, retail, and brick, block, and pipe applications.
Manufacturers
Toyota
Electric Pneumatic Forklift
| Model | 05-8FBM20T | 05-8FBMK25T | 05-8FBM25T | 05-8FBMK30T | 05-8FBM35T | 05-8FBM30T |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 4000 | 5000 | 5000 | 6000 | 7000 | 6000 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Max Lift Full Load (fpm) | 96 | 91 | 91 | 75 | 69 | 75 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 22 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 95.4 | 95.4 | 100.7 | 97.3 | 102.6 | 101.5 |
Core IC Pneumatic Forklift
| Model | 8FGU25 | 8FGU20 | 8FDU18 | 8FBU18 | 8FDU15 | 8FDU20 |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 5000 | 4000 | 3500 | 3500 | 3000 | 4000 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 10.9 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 11.5 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Max Lift Speed Full Load (fpm) | 118 | 118 | 128 | 131 | 128 | 121 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 34 | 41 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 39 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 105.9 | 103.2 | 93.9 | 93.9 | 91.9 | 103.2 |
| Model | 8FDU25 | 8FGU15 | 8FBU32 | 8FDU30 | 8FDU32 | 8FGU30 |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 5000 | 3000 | 6500 | 6000 | 6500 | 6000 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 11.8 | 11.5 | 11.2 | 11.8 | 11.5 | 11.2 |
| Max Lift Speed Full Load (fpm) | 121 | 131 | 100 | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 33 | 45 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 105.9 | 92.1 | 112.4 | 111.4 | 112.4 | 111.6 |
Mid-IC Pneumatic Forklift
| Model | 8FD35U | 8FG35U | 8FG40U | 8FD40U |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 8000 | 8000 | 9000 | 9000 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 13.1 | 13.7 | 13.7 | 13.1 |
| Max Lift Speed Full Load (fpm) | 103 | 103 | 103 | 103 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 43 | 42 | 38 | 39 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 122.5 | 122.5 | 124.5 | 124.5 |
| Model | 8FG45U | 8FD50U | 8FG50U | 8FD45U |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 1000 | 11000 | 11000 | 10000 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 13.7 | 13.1 | 13.7 | 13.1 |
| Max Lift Speed Full Load (fpm) | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 34 | 31 | 31 | 35 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 129.5 | 132.5 | 132.5 | 129.5 |
Large IC Pneumatic Forklift
| Model | 8FG60U | 8FD60U | 8FG70U | 8FD70U | 8FD80U | 8FG80U |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 13500 | 13500 | 15500 | 15500 | 17500 | 17500 |
| Max Travel Speed Full Load (mph) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Max Lift Speed Full Load (fpm) | 81 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 73 | 81 |
| Max Gradeability Full Load (%) | 34 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 26 |
| Basic Right Angle Stack (in) | 150 | 150 | 152 | 152 | 154 | 154 |
Yale
Pneumatic Tire Lift Truck
| Model | GP050LX |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 5000 |
| Engine | PSI 2.4L |
| Transmission | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed |
| Max Travel Speed (mph) | 11.8 |
| Max Lift Speed (ft/min) | 128 |
MX Pneumatic Tire Lift Truck
| Model | GP040MX | GP050MX | GP060MX |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 4000 | 5000 | 6000 |
| Engine | PSI 2.4L LPG | PSI 2.4L LPG | PSI 2.4L LPG |
| Transmission | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed |
| Max Travel Speed (mph) | 11.6 | 11.6 | 12.3 |
| Max Lift Speed (ft/min) | 128 | 128 | 112 |
VX Pneumatic Tire Lift Truck
| Model | GP040VX | GP050VX | GP060VX | GP070VX |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | 4000 | 6000 | 6000 | 7000 |
| Engine | PSI 2.4L LPG and Dual Fuel, Kubota 2.5L LPG, Kubota 2.4L Turbo Diesel | PSI 2.4L LPG and Dual Fuel, Kubota 2.5L LPG, Kubota 2.4L Turbo Diesel | PSI 2.4L LPG and Dual Fuel, Kubota 2.5L LPG, Kubota 2.4L Turbo Diesel
|
PSI 2.4L LPG and Dual Fuel, Kubota 2.5L LPG, Kubota 2.4L Turbo Diesel |
| Transmission | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed, Techtronix 100 Electronic 1 Speed | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed, Techtronix 100 Electronic 1 Speed | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed, Techtronix 100 Electronic 1 Speed | Electronic Powershift 1 Speed, Techtronix 100 Electronic 1 Speed |
| Max Travel Speed (mph) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| Max Lift Speed (ft/min) | 126 | 126 | 110 | 110 |
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.yale.com/north-america/en-us/our-products/ice-pneumatic-tire-trucks/gp030-040vx/
https://www.toyotaforklift.com/forklifts/electric-pneumatic-forklift