Rainy, slippery job sites often cause standard forklifts to skid, compromising both safety and efficiency.
Standard forklifts lack traction on rainy surfaces, easily losing control or stalling. 4WD rough terrain forklifts, with four-wheel drive and deep-tread tires, maintain stability in wet conditions and reduce risks.
Let’s examine the problems standard forklifts face in rain and the advantages of 4WD models.
Why Do Standard Forklifts Slip in the Rain?
On rainy worksites, mud and slippery surfaces expose the weaknesses of standard forklifts in both drive systems and tire design.
Most forklifts use front- or rear-wheel drive. Power isn’t evenly distributed, so wheels often spin on wet surfaces, leading to slips or stalls.
Standard forklifts typically use solid or industrial tires with shallow treads and poor drainage. On wet surfaces, a “water film” forms, cutting friction drastically. This reduces efficiency and raises the risk of skidding, tipping, or accidents.
What Does Slipping Mean for Farms and Sites?
Slipping is not just about being slower—it’s both a safety hazard and a productivity loss.
Downtime, wasted labor, and higher accident risks mean heavy losses for farms and worksites.
On farms, feed, silage, or produce must be handled on time—slips and downtime cause delays and losses. On construction sites, rainy stoppages push back schedules, increase costs, and may even trigger contract penalties.
How Do 4WD Rough Terrain Forklifts Improve Stability in Rain?
4WD drive systems and off-road tires are key to rainy performance.
4WD distributes torque to all wheels. Even if some slip, others maintain traction. Deep treads channel water away to preserve grip.
Rough terrain forklifts act like off-road vehicles in rain: deep treads quickly drain water, cutting through water films to maintain grip, while 4WD keeps moving even if one side slips. These features dramatically reduce downtime and accident risks.
Efficiency Comparison: Standard vs Rough Terrain Forklifts
Rainy-day performance directly determines deadlines and safety.
Standard forklifts lose over 30% efficiency in rain, while 4WD rough terrain forklifts maintain near-continuous operations.
Rain stoppages cause extra labor, delays, and accidents. Rough terrain forklifts work steadily, shortening timelines and reducing accidents and maintenance. This gap translates into real economic benefits and higher client satisfaction.
Standard forklifts slip in rain, but 4WD rough terrain forklifts—with 4WD and off-road tires—ensure both safety and efficiency.