Rough Terrain Forklifts Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Type (Vertical Mast, Truck Mounted, Variable Reach), By Weight (Up To 2 Tons, 2 Tons – 5 Tons, Above 5 Tons), By Application (Docks & Yard, Construction Site, Forestry, Others) - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The rough terrain forklifts market is projected to show steady growth during the forecast period.

A rough terrain forklift is a type of forklift designed to operate in difficult and uneven outdoor conditions and is equipped with durable tires, higher ground clearance, and robust suspension systems to navigate rough and uneven terrains such as construction sites, lumber yards, and outdoor storage areas. These advanced forklifts can carry heavy loads of up to several tons due to which they are essential equipment for various industries that require outdoor lifting and transportation of materials. The rise in construction activities and the expansion of the lumber industry are major driving forces behind the rough-terrain forklift market growth.

Market Drivers

• Increasing construction activities bolstered the rough-terrain forklift market growth.

A rough terrain forklift is essential equipment required in construction activities as these forklifts can lift heavy loads at high heights, allowing for the efficient movement of construction materials such as lumber, steel, and concrete. These forklifts improve productivity, speed up material placement, and contribute to the smooth completion of construction projects due to their increased mobility and lifting capacities. Construction activities are experiencing a significant upsurge due to rapid urbanization and population growth, which has created a demand for new residential, commercial, and infrastructural developments. For instance, according to the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, there were over 919,000 construction establishments in the United States in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, according to the US Department of the Treasury data, the United States witnessed an immense rise in construction spending for manufacturing facilities up to $200 billion in 2022.

• Expansion of the lumber industry propels the rough-terrain forklift market growth.

Rough Terrain Forklifts are specifically designed to operate in rugged and difficult terrains, making them ideal for the harsh and unpredictable conditions found in lumber yards and forests. Such forklifts, with their strong construction, large flotation tires, and high ground clearance, excel at navigating uneven surfaces, tree stumps, and other obstacles. Owing to this, they are used for a variety of tasks, including loading and unloading heavy logs onto trucks, transporting timber between areas of the lumber yard, and stacking lumber in a systematic manner. Increasing demand for housing and infrastructure leads to higher demands for building materials such as lumber, which has positively impacted production. For instance, according to Statistics Canada, lumber production rose 1.9% from the month of August to 4,145.4 thousand cubic meters in September 2023. Additionally, in November 2022, the UK government invested £20 million to improve domestic timber production.

• Technological advancement in rough terrain forklifts drives the rough terrain forklift market growth.

Rough terrain forklifts come with state-of-the-art features that improve their performance in difficult situations, but the incorporation of advanced suspension systems, integration of powerful engines, and durable hydraulic systems enables these forklifts to handle heavy loads with ease. Additionally, implementing innovative sensors and automated controls improves the operational safety and efficiency of rough terrain forklifts. For instance, in February 2022, New Holland introduced the F50C rough terrain forklift, adding an all-new product to its lineup of light construction equipment. It features an F34 3.4-liter powerful diesel engine and a 12-foot mast with a lift capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow significantly

Asia Pacific is anticipated to account for a significant portion of the rough terrain forklift market due to the increasing construction activities and booming lumber production in the region. For instance, according to the International Trade Administration data, China is the world's biggest construction market, and its 14th Five-Year Plan focuses on new infrastructure projects such as urbanization, with an overall investment of around 27 trillion yuan ($4.2 trillion) from 2021 to 2025. Additionally, the Government of India, under its “Union Budget 2023”, announced INR 10,000 crore for urban infrastructure development in tier 2 and 3 cities. Moreover, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2023, China produced 102 million cubic meters of timber, including logs and firewood.

Market Restraints

• High maintenance will restrain the rough terrain forklift market growth.

Rough terrain forklifts require more frequent maintenance due to the harsh operating conditions they face. This can raise the overall cost and downtime, which may limit their adoption in numerous sectors and may affect the rough terrain forklift market growth.

Market Developments

• In September 2023- Hangcha Forklift announced the launch of new electric rough terrain forklifts powered by high-voltage lithium batteries. The high-voltage lithium battery rough terrain forklifts range from 2.5 to 3.5t and feature the same high performance as diesel models. It offers a travel speed of up to 26 km/h, a lift speed of up to 660 mm/s, and a gradability of up to 63%.
• In March 2022- Kaystar Heavy Industries introduced the new Pioneer 3.5-ton rear-steering four-wheel-drive rough terrain forklift, which consists of a load capacity of 3700-3900kg, a maximum lift height of 3000-6000mm and a maximum grade ability of ≤35°.

Company Products

• 930 Rough Terrain Forklift- JCB offered the 930 Rough Terrain Forklift, which is a dependable, versatile, and user-friendly solution and ideal for almost any rehandling environment, including docks, yards, special events, timber forestry, construction sites, farms, and builders' merchants.  JCB 930 RTFL is powered by a highly efficient 74hp (55kW) EcoMAX engine and has a lift capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,722kg).
• M-X Forklifts- Manitou offers the M-X forklift, which can handle loads in various ground conditions, including degraded or uneven, soft and muddy, or asphalt. It features a tilting mast up to 15 degrees, high ground clearance, and a turning radius of 3.40 meters for easier travel on congested work sites, as well as a lift height of up to 7 meters. It is compatible with tilting carriages, side shifters, and fork positioners.
• AUSA C501H- Toyota Industrial Equipments offers the AUSA C501H, the smallest rough terrain forklift in the AUSA lineup. The C150H excels in light-duty applications and is equipped with the COMPEN 4×4 system, which is capable of working in challenging environments all year round. It features a load capacity of 3,000 lbs, a 24.8 hp engine, and a 13.12 ft maximum lifting height.

Segmentation

• By Type
  • Vertical Mast
  • Truck Mounted
  • Variable Reach
• By Weight
  • Up to 2 Tons
  • 2 Tons – 5 Tons
  • Above 5 Tons
• By Application
  • Docks & Yard
  • Construction Site
  • Forestry
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others