Buying Tips
There are lots of factors to take into account when purchasing a forklift. Deciding on the best equipment can have a huge impact on everything from production to operating costs, to equipment downtime and worker morale.
Below is a brief list of things to think about when deciding on a new or used lift truck. There can be several specific questions the sales consultant should deal with to be able to help you select the best option that is most suitable for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Identifying your requirements will ultimately help that you can find the best most capable lift truck for your business. 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 utilizing this machine? Would you be running the machine indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Accurately answering these questions would ensure you are satisfied with the unit you select.
Step2: Used Vs. New Forklifts
If you are planning to use your forklift more than 4 hours a day, you would probably want to buy a brand new unit. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A second-hand option would probably be adequate for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Normally, the huge batteries which power electric forklifts could run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor applications since they produce no harmful emissions. Even though electric units are usually more expensive than other models, they have lower operating costs. Electric forklifts are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to consider. Furthermore, these kinds of machines have less moving components so they have a longer life span as they have fewer parts to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its disadvantages however. These machines need recharging posts which could take as long as 8 hours th charge. There is an additional 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent changes have made their way onto the market in order to considerably reduce charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common lift trucks utilize cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they would be outfitted with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Several lift trucks will use a solid pneumatic tires, that is a combination of the two types of tire. The pneumatic tire style is perfect for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are perfect for interior use and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect option for hazardous work environments where there is potential for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.