Driving Forklifts On Roads And Grass
What You Need To Know
While forklifts are used mostly in warehouses, that is not to say that they cannot be used on roads and on soft terrains like grass. With both surfaces, there are some considerations to be had when purchasing the forklift. When driving on grass, the slope and tyres should be examined while a forklift that will be driven on a road needs to be registered. In this article, we will examine both in more depth.
Driving On Grass
When driving on soft terrains like grass, pneumatic tyres are recommended for the forklift to be able to navigate the more uneven terrain. Grass is both softer and can be more uneven than bitumen so pneumatic tyres are able to provide some give so that the forklift can handle these changes. Most standard forklifts come with the option of solid or pneumatic tyres at the time of purchase but can also be swapped once purchased. It is often easier on the customer to get the forklift ordered with pneumatic tyres initially as it will incur less costs in the future. If you are unsure on what the differences are between each forklift tyre, our article on Tyres may be of assistance. Solid tyres can still work on grass if they are grooved, but it is recommended that pneumatic tyres are used if grass is the predominant terrain navigated by the forklift.
Another consideration for driving on grass is if the terrain is sloped. Once the correct tyres have been selected, the operation area should be assessed to determine whether it is sloped in areas as this may mean that a more powerful forklift is required. While lithium electric forklifts are perfect for warehouse usage, they are not always the best option to navigate soft terrains that are sloped. In this instance, Diesel or LPG forklifts would be better suited as they can provide more power to the forklift. If the terrain is especially soft and the slopes are significant, then a Rough Terrain Forklift may be more suitable. Rough terrain forklifts come built with a raised chassis and large pneumatic wheels, making them the recommended choice for customers navigating significantly sloped and uneven terrains.
Can You Drive A Forklift On The Road?
Road driving does not require any specific tyre as both pneumatics and solids can be used on the road. The only consideration to be examined for road driving is to ensure that the forklift is registered. Like a car, a forklift can not legally be driven on a road without proper registration. A forklift can easily be registered either by the salesman at the time or by the customer. More information can be found at the below links on how to register your forklift.
It is important to consider where you will be driving your forklift when making your initial purchase. If driving on grass, it is important to consider what tyres and fuel source you will need for your forklift. Alternatively, if driving on roads, it is important to ensure that the forklift is registered to avoid any legal issues. For all new customers, it is important to ensure that these questions are asked of your salesman and thought of before committing to a purchase.