Buying Tips
There are many factors to take into account when purchasing a forklift. Deciding on the best equipment could have a huge impact on everything from production to operating costs, to machine downtime and worker morale.
Below is a short list of factors to think about when deciding on a new or used forklift. There is certainly several specific questions the sales consultant has to deal with to be able to help you pick the best alternative that is most suitable for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Identifying your needs will ultimately help that you can find the best most capable lift truck for your company. How large are your normal load sizes? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours each day would you be using this machinery? Would you be running the equipment outdoors or indoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Answering these questions accurately will ensure you are happy with the unit you select.
Step2: Used Vs. Brand new Lift Trucks
You may want to purchase a brand new unit of lift truck if you are planning to utilize your forklift for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A used alternative would more than likely be enough for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Usually, the large batteries which power electric lift trucks can run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor applications as they produce no harmful emissions. Even if electric units are normally more expensive compared to other units, they have less operating costs. Electric forklifts are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to think about. Also, these kinds of machines have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span as they have fewer components to get worn down.
Among the downsides of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging stations and this can take around 8 hours. There is an added 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent innovations have made their way onto the market so as to considerably reduce charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common forklifts utilize cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they would be outfitted with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Several forklifts will use a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire type is best suited to be used outdoors. Cushion tires are perfect to be used indoors and solid pneumatic tires are the best option for hazardous work environments where there is potential for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.