Electric forklifts can operate outdoors in rainy weather, but they must meet the corresponding waterproof rating requirements and should not be used in extreme conditions such as rainstorms or deep waterlogging. The specific details are as follows:

Core Prerequisite for Outdoor Operation in Rain: Meeting the Waterproof Rating

The waterproof capability of electric forklifts complies with the IP rating standard, where IPX4 is the minimum requirement for rainy-day operation. There are clear distinctions in the applicable scenarios of different waterproof ratings:

• IPX3: Protection against spraying water. It is only suitable for dry outdoor environments with occasional water splashes, and cannot be used continuously in rainy weather; otherwise, rainwater may infiltrate electrical components and cause short circuits.

• IPX4: Protection against splashing water. Splashing water from any direction will not cause harmful effects on the equipment. It is the basic threshold for rainy-day operation, suitable for short-term outdoor work under light to moderate rain conditions.

• IPX5: Protection against water jets. It can withstand low-pressure water jetting, suitable for regular operations under moderate to heavy rain. It is the mainstream configuration for outdoor electric forklifts.

• IPX6: Protection against powerful water jets. It can resist strong water flushing, suitable for rainstorm conditions or scenarios where high-pressure cleaning of forklifts is required. However, the cost of such forklifts is relatively high.

Note: In the IP rating label, the first digit after "IP" represents the dustproof rating, and the second digit represents the waterproof rating. Only the second digit needs to be considered for rainy-day operation.

Restrictions and Safety Regulations for Operation in Rain

1. Do not operate in areas where the waterlogging depth exceeds the lowest point of the forks or the bottom of the battery compartment, to avoid direct water infiltration into core components such as batteries and motors.

2. Suspend operation during rainstorms or thunderstorms. First, heavy rainfall may exceed the waterproof protection limit; second, there is a risk of lightning strikes in open outdoor areas.

3. Clean the forklift promptly after rain: wipe off water stains on electrical interfaces and the surface of the control panel, and check the battery compartment and motor compartment for signs of water ingress to prevent component corrosion or short circuits caused by residual rainwater.

4. Avoid operations such as charging or battery replacement in rainy weather, as water contact with charging interfaces can easily lead to electric leakage or short-circuit accidents.

Differences in Rainy-Day Operation Capability Among Different Types of Electric Forklifts

• Lithium battery electric forklifts: The battery sealing performance is generally better than that of lead-acid batteries. In addition, the equipped Battery Management System (BMS) has more comprehensive short-circuit protection, resulting in higher stability during rainy-day operation.

• Lead-acid battery electric forklifts: The sealing performance of the battery compartment is relatively weak. If the electrolyte level is too high, there may be a risk of acid leakage during rainy-day operation, requiring stricter control of operation duration and environment.