It’s essential to choose the right type of forklift for your business to maximise efficiency and protect your bottom line. To know if a rough terrain forklift is the best choice for your needs, you need to understand what one is, how it works and what makes it different from a standard forklift. So, what is a rough terrain forklift?

A rough terrain or all-terrain forklift is designed specifically for outdoor use on uneven surfaces. They are built with durability in mind and have larger tyres, higher ground clearance, and more powerful engines than standard forklift trucks. Rough terrain forklifts are commonly used in construction, agriculture and other outdoor environments.

Our detailed guide contains everything you need to know about rough terrain forklifts to help you decide if they’re a good fit for your business. Keep reading to learn more. 

Sections:

• What Is the Role of a Rough Terrain Forklift?
• What Is the Difference Between a Rough Terrain Forklift and a Regular Forklift?
• What Is the Difference Between a Two- Or Four-Wheel Drive Rough Terrain Forklift?
• Advantages of a Rough Terrain Forklift
• How is Maintenance Different for Rough Terrain Forklifts?
• Rough Terrain Forklifts From Stacatruc

What Is the Role of a Rough Terrain Forklift?

Rough terrain forklifts (also known as all-terrain forklifts) are designed for use on uneven outdoor terrain, unlike standard forklifts, which are designed for indoor use. They are commonly used in construction sites, farms, agricultural applications and forestry projects, to handle heavy loads in poor conditions. All-terrain forklifts are fully equipped to handle mud, dirt and slopes, as well as rain, ice and snow. 

Key Features of a Rough Terrain Forklift

Rough terrain forklifts are designed to be able to handle all types of rugged and sloped terrain. Here’s an overview of the main features of rough terrain forklifts that set them apart from other types of forklift trucks:

• Large, heavy-duty tyres: They have larger, heavily treaded tyres for superior traction and stability on uneven and loose ground. Their durability also reduces the likelihood of punctures and increases reliability.
• Powerful engines: They often have more powerful engines with high torque for lifting heavy loads, higher travel speeds and climbing up steep inclines. Most rough terrain forklifts, such as the Agrimac TH300, use diesel engines to increase efficiency even during demanding tasks. 
• Increased ground clearance and heavy-duty suspension: Additional ground clearance allows rough terrain forklifts to handle steep inclines and uneven ground. The heavy-duty suspension allows them to navigate over rocks, tree roots and other obstacles without damaging the undercarriage.
• Four-wheel or two-wheel drive: Many models offer either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive offers enhanced traction and stability on uneven terrain by sending power to all four wheels.
• Durable construction: Rough-terrain forklifts are designed with heavy-duty frames, advanced stability systems and can be adapted with various attachments to suit different applications. 

Rough Terrain Forklift Applications 

Rough terrain forklifts can be used in a wide range of applications across multiple industries, for example:

• Offloading and moving materials, such as steel beams, bricks and concrete blocks, across construction sites.
• Moving farm supplies, such as feed and hay, across fields.
• Transporting bulk materials, such as mulch and soil, for landscaping projects or in nurseries. 
• Loading and unloading trucks in logging yards.
• Moving logs and timber through wooded areas during forestry operations.
• Transporting heavy loads, such as rocks and ore, across quarries. 

What Is the Difference Between a Rough Terrain Forklift and a Regular Forklift?

The main difference between a rough terrain forklift and a regular forklift is where they are designed to be used – rough terrain forklifts are designed to be used outdoors on rugged terrain, while regular forklifts are only designed for use indoors on even surfaces. Here’s a summary of some of the other key differences:

• Tyres: Rough terrain forklifts have large, heavy-duty tyres, while standard forklifts have small, cushioned tyres. 
• Engine: Standard forklifts have less powerful engines as indoor usage is less demanding. 
• Ground clearance: Rough terrain forklifts have increased ground clearance to navigate uneven surfaces and obstacles, which is not required for standard forklifts, which are only used indoors. 
• Suspension: Standard forklifts have lighter suspension systems, which are not designed for outdoor terrain. 
• Ability to navigate slopes: Rough terrain forklifts can handle slopes with gradients of up to 45 degrees, while standard forklifts are only suitable for use on flat surfaces. 
• Four-wheel drive: While some rough terrain forklifts come with the option of four-wheel drive for better traction and handling outdoors, two-wheel drive is standard on regular forklifts. 

What Is the Difference Between a Two- Or Four-Wheel Drive Rough Terrain Forklift?

Many rough terrain forklifts are offered in two (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) variants, or models that can switch between two and four-wheel drive based on the conditions. A two-wheel drive forklift relies on the front wheels for traction, while in a four-wheel drive forklift, power is distributed to all four wheels, improving handling and performance in very uneven terrain. Here’s a quick comparison:

• 2WD rough terrain forklifts are easy to manoeuvre and usually have a smaller turning radius, but they offer less traction on uneven or sloped ground. They usually cost less than 4WD models. 
• 4WD rough terrain forklifts offer superior traction and stability and can easily handle all types of challenging terrain. However, they have a slightly larger turning radius than 2WD models and are typically more expensive.

Advantages of a Rough Terrain Forklift

There are numerous benefits to choosing a rough terrain forklift over a standard forklift. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Handles all types of challenging terrain: Rough terrain forklifts can handle uneven, rocky or muddy ground due to their large tyres with deep treads. 
• Ability to navigate steep slopes: They can navigate slopes with gradients up to 45 degrees due to their large engine size and increased ground clearance. 
• Superior grip and stability: Their heavy-duty tyres, combined with the option of choosing four-wheel drive (on most models), mean superior traction and handling.
• Navigate obstacles with ease: Their high ground clearance means you can navigate over rocks and tree roots without damaging the undercarriage. 
• Increased power: With increased engine size and high torque, rough terrain forklifts can handle moving heavy loads across uneven terrain. For example, the Agrimac TH300 can move loads of up to 3000kg. 
• Operational in all weather conditions: Rough terrain forklifts can handle all adverse weather conditions, including rain, snow and icing, helping to keep operations moving. 

How is Maintenance Different for Rough Terrain Forklifts?

In addition to the standard maintenance requirements for all forklifts (such as checking oil and coolant levels, replacing filters and checking lubrication), rough terrain forklifts require additional maintenance checks. Because rough terrain forklifts are used outdoors, they are subject to more wear and tear than standard forklifts, which are only used indoors. Here’s an overview of the additional maintenance checks you should be aware of:

• Additional tyre checks: Because rough terrain forklifts operate on uneven ground, it’s essential that you regularly inspect the tyres for punctures, cuts or bulges, and check that they are inflated to the optimal pressure. Worn or damaged tyres should be replaced for the best handling and performance.
• Dust and debris: Air filters, radiators and other components should be regularly inspected to check the accumulation of dust and debris and cleaned if necessary. A buildup of debris can affect engine performance and cooling, and is especially important for all-terrain forklifts which are used in dusty conditions, such as construction sites. 
• Frame and structure: Over time, the rough terrain can put stress on the frame and other structural components of a rough terrain forklift. It’s essential to regularly inspect the frame for cracks and other signs of wear to maintain the operator’s safety. 

How Often Should Rough Terrain Forklifts Be Serviced?

Rough terrain forklifts should be serviced every 200-300 operating hours or every 6 months, depending on the usage and environmental conditions. If the forklift is used regularly in harsh outdoor conditions, it will need more frequent servicing. You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommended servicing and preventive maintenance schedule. All forklifts should be serviced at least once a year, even if they are used infrequently. 

For more information about forklift maintenance and servicing, visit our forklift servicing page. 

Rough Terrain Forklifts From Stacatruc

At Stacatruc, we pride ourselves on being a UK business with over 40 years of experience in the forklift truck industry. We offer a wide range of high-quality forklift trucks, including Electric, Articulated, IC, Rough Terrain, Multi-Directional, Pallet Stackers and Reach Trucks. You can rely on our friendly and professional team for all your forklift needs – we even offer forklift repair and servicing, forklift hire and specialist training! Our team is passionate about helping your business grow and solving your business needs. 

Stacatruc’s rough terrain forklifts are designed to operate in the toughest outdoor environments and are suitable for a wide range of industries, including construction and agriculture. Our range includes the Agrimac TH300, which can lift loads of up to 3,000kg up to a height of 2,510mm. With minimal maintenance, low fuel consumption and high power thanks to its 65 hp Deutz engine, the Agrimac TH300 is an excellent choice for a range of heavy-duty applications. All Agrimac forklifts are built to last and made from high-quality components from brands such as Perkins, Deutz and Bosch-Rexroth.

Explore our range of rough terrain forklifts on our website, or get in touch with our team for tailored advice.