Muddy job sites often stop standard forklifts in their tracks, delaying projects and creating costly downtime.
Standard forklifts with low ground clearance and smooth tires easily sink into mud. The solution is rough terrain forklifts, which feature higher clearance and off-road tires, ensuring stable movement in muddy conditions without delays.
Let’s explore why standard forklifts fail in mud, and how rough terrain forklifts overcome the challenge.
Why Do Standard Forklifts Get Stuck in Mud?
Not all worksites are paved concrete. Many are soft soil or muddy after rain, where standard forklifts often fail.
Standard forklifts are designed for smooth surfaces. Their low undercarriage and industrial tires lack traction, making them prone to slipping or sinking when operating in muddy conditions.
The tires of standard forklifts are relatively smooth and cannot grip soft or slippery surfaces effectively. At the same time, their low ground clearance means the undercarriage often drags against mud, effectively “bottoming out” and trapping the machine. Repeated incidents not only delay work but can also damage equipment.
How Do Rough Terrain Forklifts Handle Mud?
Rough terrain forklifts are purpose-built to tackle challenging surfaces with reinforced chassis and enhanced traction systems.
Their high ground clearance prevents undercarriage contact, while large, deep-tread off-road tires provide powerful grip. With four-wheel drive, torque is evenly distributed, keeping the forklift moving steadily across muddy ground.
Similar to off-road vehicles, rough terrain forklifts use all four wheels to maintain traction, even if one side is on soft ground. Their off-road tires with deep grooves quickly expel mud and reduce slippage. This design not only ensures continuous work but also reduces downtime caused by stuck equipment.
Efficiency Comparison in Muddy Worksites
Choosing equipment isn’t just about purchase price—it’s about how efficiently it performs in real-world conditions.
In muddy sites, standard forklifts often stall or require towing, wasting valuable time. Rough terrain forklifts, by contrast, keep moving, significantly boosting overall worksite productivity.
Standard forklifts may lose up to 40% of productive time in muddy conditions, with operators forced to stop, adjust, or call for assistance. Rough terrain forklifts maintain steady operations, improving efficiency by 30–50%. For companies working to meet tight deadlines, this advantage translates into clear economic benefits.
Getting stuck in mud is a common forklift problem. Rough terrain forklifts solve it with strong traction and stability, ensuring safer, more efficient operations.