(1) Has good off-road and off-road performance with all wheel drive. There is no differential between the axles, and large diameter wide base off-road tires are used. The minimum ground clearance of the vehicle is more than 300mm, and the departure angle is more than 30 °.
(2) Adopting an articulated frame. The swing angle of the frame generally reaches ± 30 °~40 °, and the steering system is simple, without the need for expensive steering drive axles, which can achieve a smaller turning radius. By manipulating the steering wheel, the frame can swing horizontally, making it easy for the forks to align with the material. For small tonnage off-road forklifts, an integral frame can be used, with a single axle drive and differential lock on the drive axle.
(3) All wheel braking. Except for small tonnage forklifts that use expansion shoe brake structures, most of them are caliper disc brakes, and some large tonnage forklifts also use wet brakes. Independent handbrake is the most common type of parking brake.
(4) For 2T~3T articulated off-road forklifts, their front and rear axles are universal.
(5) The rear axle of an off-road forklift is fixed to the frame, while the front axle can swing vertically ± 8 °~12 ° relative to the frame. There is a supporting hydraulic cylinder installed between the frame and the front axle. When the forklift is lifting, the hydraulic cylinder is operated to keep the lifting gantry in a lateral vertical state; When driving a forklift, it is beneficial to improve the smoothness of the vehicle by connecting the upper and lower chambers of the hydraulic cylinder through damping holes.
(6) Has a large wheelbase and track width. Increase the directional and longitudinal stability of forklifts.
(7) Good maneuverability. The maximum speed is generally (30-40) km/h. The power factor is above 0.65, the driving acceleration is good, and it has a climbing ability of 25 °~30 °.
(8) A larger inclination angle of the gantry. This is necessary for safe operation and driving on uneven ground, generally ranging from 10 ° to 15 ° in the front and 15 ° in the back.
(9) The setting of the driver's seat. To ensure that the operator has a good view during loading operations, the driver's seat is generally arranged in front. For articulated forklifts, place them on the front frame as much as possible and install a top mounted cab with FOPS/ROPS according to different operational requirements.
(10) Walking system. Similar to loaders, there are various types of mechanical transmission (Me), hydraulic shift mechanical transmission (HyC), hydraulic transmission (T/C), and hydrostatic transmission (HYD). The difference is that the full power matching method is adopted, and its maximum load is the full load climbing condition.
