The Problem

I found a forklift but I cannot figure out how to drive it. Do I need something special?

The Solution

The forklift is not a gimmick vehicle — it is a mobile 24-slot storage container that moves faster than you walk. It transforms base relocations, bulk material hauls, and multi-sector loot runs from multiple fatiguing trips into a single drive.

Activation The forklift sits in the Manufacturing Sector garage. It does not start without a Power Cell — insert one into the vehicle to activate it. Power Cells come from the Flathill portal world. The first three Power Cells in the game are story-gated in Flathill; use one for forklift activation after securing your Crafting Bench (see Crafting Bench upgrades) power (see power system) needs. The forklift may need repairs before first use — bring basic repair materials (Metal Scraps, Duct Tape) on your initial activation trip so you are not stranded at the garage with a broken forklift and no repair kit.

Controls

• Left lever (forward/backward): Up and down movement. Push back slightly to sound the horn — useful for alerting co-op teammates or startling nearby Pests.
• Second lever: Controls fork tilt. Raise forks to navigate uneven terrain; lower them to pick up loads.

The 24-Slot Front Box The forklift's front cargo box holds 24 items — equivalent to a Military Backpack's total capacity, but on a vehicle you do not have to carry. Use it for:

• Base relocations: pack all crates, bench, bed, and Briefcase into the forklift in one trip.
• Bulk resource hauls from portal worlds: park near the return portal, fill the forklift, drive home.
• Heavy material transport: Power Cells, Water Cooler (see water management guide)s (4,500 mL, heavy when full), armor sets, stacks of Metal Scraps.

Vehicle Recall If you leave the forklift somewhere and need it at your current location, use the vehicle recall function. It teleports the forklift to your respawn point. This is not free — it may cost durability or require a Power Cell recharge — but it saves a 10-minute walk back to wherever you abandoned it.

Power Cell Management Power Cells deplete with use. Farm Flathill portal during its reset cycle to stockpile Power Cells. Keep a dedicated Power Cell Crate at base near your vehicle parking spot. Running out of fuel mid-haul means either abandoning cargo or walking back for a spare cell — both waste time. Treat Power Cells like fuel: check the level before starting a long route, and carry one spare in the forklift's own cargo box.

Terrain Awareness The forklift is wide. It gets stuck on narrow doorframes, tight corners, and debris piles. Before driving a new route, walk it on foot first to identify width restrictions. Manufacturing Sector corridors are generally wide enough. Office Sector hallways are tighter — plan alternate paths or park at sector transitions and carry items the last stretch by hand. The forklift is not an all-terrain vehicle; treat it as a sector-to-sector hauler, not a room-to-room crawler.

Step-by-Step

1. Farm Flathill portal for Power Cells. Use the first three for story progression; use the next one to activate the forklift.
2. Find the forklift in the Manufacturing Sector garage. Bring Metal Scraps and Duct Tape for potential repairs.
3. Insert a Power Cell. Test the left lever (movement) and second lever (tilt) before loading cargo.
4. Use the front cargo box (24 slots) for bulk hauls — base relocations, portal loot runs, heavy crafting materials.
5. Keep one spare Power Cell in the forklift's cargo box as emergency fuel.
6. Park the forklift at sector transitions where corridors narrow. Carry items the last stretch by hand if needed.
7. Use vehicle recall to bring the forklift to your respawn point if you leave it somewhere distant.

Common Mistakes

• Activating the forklift without bringing repair materials — a broken forklift in the garage is useless.
• Driving into narrow Office Sector corridors and getting permanently stuck.
• Running out of Power Cell charge mid-haul with no spare — keep one spare in the cargo box at all times.
• Forgetting vehicle recall exists and walking 10 minutes back to retrieve an abandoned forklift.