On rainy, slippery sites, standard forklifts often skid out of control, creating safety risks and costly downtime.
Most forklifts are front- or rear-wheel drive, lacking traction on slippery ground. 4WD rough terrain forklifts distribute power to all wheels and use off-road tread tires, ensuring stable operation in wet conditions.
Let’s look at why standard forklifts slip in rain and how 4WD forklifts handle it.
Why Do Standard Forklifts Slip in the Rain?
Rain makes worksites muddy and slick. In such conditions, standard forklifts often lose traction and struggle to maintain stable operation.
Most forklifts use front or rear drive only. Power isn’t evenly distributed, so wheels spin freely on slippery ground, causing the forklift to stall or slide.
Standard forklifts typically use solid or industrial tires with shallow tread and poor drainage. On wet surfaces, a “water film” forms under the tires, eliminating friction with the ground. This not only reduces efficiency but also raises the risk of skidding or accidents.
How Do 4WD Rough Terrain Forklifts Ensure Stability?
To handle wet conditions, 4WD rough terrain forklifts are designed with enhanced drive systems and tire structures for superior grip.
Four-wheel drive distributes torque evenly to all tires. Even if one slips, the others maintain traction. Deep-tread off-road tires quickly expel water and mud, keeping stable contact with the ground.
The concept is similar to off-road SUVs: “keep moving even in slippery conditions.” Deep-groove treads cut through water films, preventing drift. Together with 4WD, these forklifts maintain steady forward motion, avoiding frequent skids and downtime that plague standard forklifts.
Efficiency Comparison in Rainy Conditions
Performance in rain directly affects both safety and meeting deadlines.
Standard forklifts often stall or need towing on wet ground, lowering efficiency. Rough terrain forklifts keep working, even in heavy rain, ensuring continuous operations.
Feedback shows standard forklifts lose over 30% efficiency in rainy weather, with higher accident risk. 4WD rough terrain forklifts maintain stable productivity. For construction firms, less downtime in rain means more profit and safer operations.
Standard forklifts slip in rain, but 4WD rough terrain forklifts—with 4WD and off-road tires—ensure safety and efficiency.