Rough terrain forklifts don't have the largest capacity, but they are meant to be driven across the most challenging outdoor terrain.

Tips:

• Choose a forklift with sufficient maximum capacity and make sure it can fit where you need it to go.
• Think through what materials you plan to lift (single pallets? heavy containers? wood?) and the heaviest loads you'll need to lift.
• It's common for people to underestimate the capacity of the forklift they need, so when in doubt, go for a larger rough terrain forklift rental.
• For forklifts with telescopic booms, consult the load chart to figure out the forklift's load capacity.

United Rentals offers rough terrain mast forklift rentals and telehandler rentals with a wide range of maximum capacities, including:

• Small rough terrain telehandler forklifts: This 5,000-pound telehandler can handle medium-duty jobs around an outdoor site and travel on inclines, rocks or mud.
• Medium rough terrain forklifts: These range from 6,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds and are suitable for medium-duty to heavy-duty jobs. This 6,000-pound mast forklift has large pneumatic tires to transport materials where you need them.
• Large rough terrain forklifts: If you need extreme capacities, large telehandlers have load capacities between 12,000 and 23,000 pounds for heavy-duty applications.

In addition to capacity, consider the forklift’s dimensions with the space restrictions of your jobsite.

The height to which you need to lift materials will determine the type of forklift you need to rent and the type of mast you need (straight or extending, and how many stages).

Forklift masts are typically two-stage or three-stage, though some are four-stage (quad masts). Remember to consider your overhead clearance and ensure the mast (or boom in the case of a telehandler) at its lowest height will fit. Four-stage masts collapse to a lower height than other masts.

Rough terrain forklifts typically have large pneumatic tires filled with compressed air to handle rough terrain and uneven surfaces. Forklifts with pneumatic tires are typically used for outdoor work.

Because rough terrain forklifts are ideal for outdoor use, they are typically diesel-powered.

Diesel-powered forklifts are bigger and more powerful than the smaller models often used at warehouses or indoor industrial sites. Diesel-powered mast forklifts are the go-to for heavy-duty applications, such as heavy manufacturing, lumberyard work and construction.

The pros of diesel rough terrain forklifts

• More power and torque than electric or propane forklifts
• Can lift more weight and easily power hydraulic attachments
• Faster acceleration and lifting
• Require less maintenance than propane-fueled engines
• Run time is limited only by fuel accessibility

The cons of diesel rough terrain forklifts

• Limited to outdoor use due to exhaust fumes
• Larger carbon footprint than electric, gas and propane forklifts
• Noisy operation and vibrations cause operator fatigue
• They can't make short turns or work in tight places due to their size
• Require more highly trained operators