There is a moment every forklift operator dreads. The front wheels spin. The machine sinks deeper. The load shifts. You are stuck in mud that looked solid just seconds ago. The standard forklift, with its two wheel drive and smooth tires, is helpless. The all wheel drive forklift does not know that feeling. When the ground turns soft, when the slope steepens, when the gravel shifts under the tires, the all wheel drive forklift digs in and keeps moving. It is not a luxury feature. For anyone who works on construction sites, farms, lumber yards, or any surface that is not smooth pavement, all wheel drive is survival.
What makes an all wheel drive forklift different is simple and profound. Power goes to all four wheels, not just the rear or front pair. This means that when one wheel loses traction, the others keep pulling. The forklift does not stop. It does not spin. It does not dig itself into a hole. It just keeps moving, climbing, and working. The difference in capability is not incremental. It is transformative.
The definition of all wheel drive varies among manufacturers, but the core principle is consistent. A true all wheel drive forklift has a drivetrain that can send torque to every wheel. Some systems use a center differential to distribute power. Others use hydraulic motors at each wheel. Some are full time all wheel drive, meaning power is always sent to all four wheels. Others are part time, allowing the operator to engage all wheel drive only when needed and return to two wheel drive for normal conditions to save fuel and reduce tire wear.
The RUBAG rough terrain forklifts exemplify the all wheel drive approach. The CPCD35 Allrad model carries a 3,500 kilogram load capacity, powered by a Kubota V2607 CR TE5B Stage V diesel engine producing 47.3 kilowatts. The CPCD50 Allrad steps up to 5,000 kilograms with a Deutz TCD 3.6 L4 engine producing 55.4 kilowatts. Both feature powershift transmissions with torque converters, mechanical differential locks, and oil bath multi disc brakes as standard equipment. These are not optional upgrades. They are the foundation of the machine's off road capability.
The differential lock is a critical feature that works alongside all wheel drive. When engaged, the differential lock forces both wheels on an axle to turn together, even if one loses traction. In deep mud or on icy slopes, this can mean the difference between climbing out and spinning to a stop. The RUBAG machines include this as standard, recognizing that all wheel drive alone is not enough for the most challenging conditions.
All wheel drive forklifts are not limited to diesel power. The Mariotti MYCROS 10C AWD is an electric compact forklift that demonstrates the versatility of the concept. This three wheel all wheel drive machine lifts up to 1,000 kilograms and features AC drive motors on all three wheels. The operator can choose between rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, or all wheel drive depending on conditions. An economy mode deactivates rear wheel drive when maximum traction is not needed, saving battery power. The adjustable wheelbase automatically shortens when approaching a load for maneuverability and lengthens when carrying a load for stability.
The HUBTEX FLUX 45 takes all wheel drive into the multidirectional forklift category. This electric machine carries 4.5 tons and features 360 degree HX multidirectional steering, allowing the operator to switch from longitudinal to transverse travel without stopping. The all wheel drive, combined with large elastic tires and generous ground clearance, makes the FLUX 45 suitable for both indoor warehouse work and outdoor applications. The ability to change direction while moving reduces wheel wear and improves efficiency.
The HUBTEX DQ X represents the diesel side of the multidirectional all wheel drive category. This four way sideloader carries 4.5 tons and lifts up to 7,500 millimeters. The operator sits transversely, facing the load, and the machine can function as both a conventional front loader for pallets and a sideloader for long goods. The innovative steering mechanism has a steering angle twenty degrees larger than previous models, enabling a significantly tighter turning circle. Switching times from longitudinal to transverse travel have been reduced by up to forty percent. The machine includes three driving modes, Eco, Sensitive, and Speed, with Eco mode reducing fuel consumption by thirty percent.
The rough terrain forklift category includes articulated all wheel drive machines designed for the most extreme conditions. The CPCY 40 model features four wheel drive, a 4,000 kilogram load capacity, and maximum gradeability of thirty degrees. The ground clearance is 300 millimeters, enough to clear rocks, stumps, and debris that would high center a standard forklift. The compact design and small turning radius make it maneuverable despite its off road capability.
Truck mounted forklifts have also embraced all wheel drive. Moffett, a pioneer in this category, introduced the first truly all wheel drive truck mounted forklift in Canada in 1985. These machines mount to the back of delivery trucks, allowing the driver to unload materials directly onto job sites without needing a separate forklift or a crane. All wheel drive is essential for these applications because delivery trucks often stop at sites with unpredictable terrain. The Moffett system allows the operator to raise the forklift off the transport chains without ever climbing onto the machine, a feature called GroundStart.
The performance advantages of all wheel drive extend beyond just getting unstuck. An all wheel drive forklift climbs slopes that a two wheel drive machine cannot. It handles snow, ice, gravel, and mud with equal confidence. It keeps the load level when crossing uneven ground because the wheels maintain consistent contact with the surface. The operator experiences less jolting and less fatigue because the machine does not fight the terrain.
The tire selection for an all wheel drive forklift is critical. The RUBAG machines use super elastic or pneumatic tires designed for rough surfaces. The FLUX 45 uses elastic or polyurethane soft tires that absorb shock while providing traction. The CPCY 40 uses solid tires that cannot go flat, eliminating the risk of puncture on a job site miles from a service truck. The right tire depends on the surface, solid tires for puncture prone environments, pneumatic for maximum traction, elastic for a balance of comfort and capability.
The maintenance demands of an all wheel drive forklift are higher than a two wheel drive machine. There are more moving parts. More axles. More differentials. More drive shafts. More hydraulic lines if the system uses hydrostatic drive to each wheel. The RUBAG machines address this with oil bath multi disc brakes that last longer than dry brakes in dirty environments. The HUBTEX DQ X uses an intelligent truck controller that minimizes noise, exhaust emissions, and energy consumption while also monitoring system health. Regular maintenance is not optional. An all wheel drive forklift that is neglected will fail more spectacularly than a two wheel drive machine because there is more to fail.
The cost of an all wheel drive forklift is higher than a comparable two wheel drive machine. The additional axles, differentials, and drivetrain components add thousands to the purchase price. The fuel consumption is also higher because moving four wheels instead of two requires more energy. But for the operator who works on rough terrain every day, the cost is justified by reduced downtime. A two wheel drive forklift that gets stuck loses hours of productivity while waiting for a tow or digging itself out. An all wheel drive forklift keeps working. Over a year, the productivity gain far exceeds the additional purchase cost.
The resale value of all wheel drive forklifts holds up better than two wheel drive machines in markets where rough terrain operation is common. Construction companies, lumber yards, and farms know the value of all wheel drive. They will pay a premium for a used machine with that capability. The CPCD35 and CPCD50 models from RUBAG, with their Kubota and Deutz engines, retain value because those engine brands are known for reliability and parts availability.
The decision to buy an all wheel drive forklift comes down to the terrain. If the forklift will never leave a smooth, paved surface, all wheel drive is unnecessary weight and expense. If the forklift will occasionally cross a gravel lot or a wet dock, all wheel drive might be useful but not essential. If the forklift works daily on construction sites, farms, logging operations, or any surface that is not paved, all wheel drive is not a luxury. It is the feature that makes the machine usable at all.
The operator of an all wheel drive forklift needs training that goes beyond standard certification. The machine handles differently in all wheel drive mode. The turning radius is larger when all wheels are pulling. The braking distance is different. The operator must learn when to engage all wheel drive and when to leave it off. Engaging all wheel drive on dry pavement creates driveline binding and accelerates tire wear. Leaving it off in mud leaves the machine stuck. The judgment comes with experience.
The future of all wheel drive forklifts is electric. The Mariotti MYCROS already demonstrates that electric all wheel drive is viable for compact machines. The HUBTEX FLUX 45 shows that electric can handle 4.5 ton loads with all wheel drive and multidirectional steering. As battery technology improves and charging infrastructure expands, electric all wheel drive forklifts will become more common, even for heavy duty applications. The advantages of electric, quiet operation, zero emissions, lower maintenance, are amplified when combined with all wheel drive. A machine that works outdoors in sensitive environments, near hospitals, schools, or residential areas, needs both low emissions and high traction. Electric all wheel drive delivers both.
The all wheel drive forklift is not a niche product for extreme conditions. It is the standard for any operation where the ground cannot be controlled. Construction sites change daily. Rain turns dirt to mud. Frost heaves break pavement. Snow covers gravel. The operator who drives onto a job site in the morning does not know what the ground will look like by afternoon. The all wheel drive forklift does not need to know. It adapts. It grips. It climbs. It works. When the two wheel drive forklifts are stuck, spinning their tires, waiting for a tow, the all wheel drive machine is still moving loads. That is not a feature. That is a competitive advantage. And on a job site where time is money, it is the only advantage that matters.