Buying Tips
When purchasing a forklift, there can be numerous things to take into account since this decision can impact a lot of things such as productivity, operating costs, machine downtime, and even worker morale.
When you are thinking of choosing a new or second-hand lift truck, the following is a brief list of factors to take into account. There is certainly several specific questions the sales consultant should deal with in order to help you pick the best option which is most suitable for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Making the time to identify your requirements will help ensure that you can find a capable machine. What size are your average loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day will you be using this equipment? Will you be running the machine indoors or outdoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions accurately would ensure you are happy with the unit you pick.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. Brand new Lift Trucks
If you are intending to use your forklift more than 4 hours per day, you would probably want to buy a new unit. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A used choice would probably be enough for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Normally, the large batteries that power electric lift trucks could run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor use as they generate no harmful emissions. Though electric units are generally more expensive than different other kinds of forklifts, they have lower operating costs. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to take into consideration. Furthermore, these equipment have less moving components so they have a longer life span as they have less components to get worn down.
Amongst the downsides of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging posts and this can take roughly 8 hours. There is an added 8 hours required for cooling. Recent innovations have made their way onto the market so as to significantly lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Forklifts are outfitted with either pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires or cushion tires that are made up of solid rubber. There can be also solid pneumatic tires that are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire type is great to be used outdoors. Cushion tires are great to be used inside and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect choice for hazardous work settings where there is a chance for regular tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.