Many kinds of forklifts are designed mostly for retail store or warehouse environment. These units have efficient engines but not much heft. Their tires really work great on surfaces which are smooth. These kinds of forklift are not meant to be taken off a smooth surface. Forklifts which are great for construction sites must be designed to handle rough terrain. Fortunately, forklift companies usually make at least one brand that fits in the rough terrain category. When selecting a rough terrain forklift, you must think about the following information:
While electric engines are cheaper to operate and more environmentally friendly, they don't have what is required to get through piles of dirt and to traverse uneven terrain. Gas engines are normally used for rough terrain forklifts. A gas engine provides adequate power for driving up inclines and driving over obstacles. Speed is one more factor in choosing a gas engine. Lumber yards and construction yards usually have large work areas and that means greater speed is needed to effectively get around. Forklifts intended for indoor use usually have slower speeds for operating in narrow spaces. You would be wasting a lot of time with a slow engine when working outdoors.
Pneumatic tires are made of rubber and filled with air. This is the best kind of tires for driving over rough terrain since pneumatic tires are less likely to be damaged. They are not that different from the tires on a regular vehicle. Tires which are manufactured to be used indoors are not meant for driving on surfaces which are uneven. Pneumatic tires are designed to reduce the chance of a tire puncture.