tug of war, Ram 2500 5.9 4x4 CTD vs 6k forklift (weighing around 11k IIRC). Who wins? is it all about the weight or does the forklift engine not have the juevos and/or gearing or to small of tires to win? how about a 20k?

 

forklift has all of its weight on the non-driving tires. Therefore, the truck could win.

however, add a pallet of product to the front of it, and then see what happens, you might well be amazed.

 

The forklift wins, since it has 2 tons on the truck, better gearing, and is designed to move the load that the truck represents. The 20k forktruck will allow the Dodge to roast its tires handily.

It comes down to tractive effort. Locomotives are rated in this. Its a formula that takes into account the weight, power and friction of the vehicle. The fork truck will win, because not only does it weigh more, but the "footprint" is likely less than that of the truck.

I worked on forklifts for 2 years, anything from a 3000lb truck up to the 36000lb monsters.