Buying Tips
There can be numerous factors to take into account when purchasing a forklift. Choosing the best equipment could have a huge impact on everything from productivity to operating costs, to equipment downtime and employee morale.
Below is a brief list of things to think about when deciding on a brand new or used forklift. There is certainly several specific questions the sales consultant must address to be able to help you select the best option that is right for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Making the time to identify your needs will help ensure that you can find a capable machinery. What size are your average loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day would you be utilizing this equipment? Would you be running the machine indoors or outdoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Accurately answering these questions would make sure that you are happy with the unit you choose.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. Brand new Lift Trucks
You may want to buy a new model of lift truck if you are intending to utilize your forklift for more than 4 hours per day. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A used option would probably be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The big electric lift truck batteries would allow the lift truck to run for approximately 8 hours. These particular power sources make lift trucks uniquely suited for indoor application since they produce no harmful emissions. Though electric units are normally more expensive than various other kinds of lift trucks, they have less operating costs. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to think about. Furthermore, these machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span as they have less parts to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its disadvantages though. These machines need recharging stations which could take as much as 8 hours th charge. There is an added 8 hours required for cooling. Recent innovations have made their way onto the market in order to considerably lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a great new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common lift trucks utilize cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they will be equipped with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Some forklifts will utilize a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two types of tire. The pneumatic tire style is best suited for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are best to be used indoors and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect option for dangerous work environments where there is a possibility for regular tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.