Buying Tips
When buying a forklift, there are actually many things to take into account because this decision can impact numerous things like production, operating expenses, equipment downtime, and even worker morale.
Below is a brief list of things to consider when deciding on a brand new or second-hand lift truck. There is certainly several particular questions the sales consultant must deal with in order to help you pick the best alternative that is best for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Identifying your requirements will eventually help that you could find the best most capable forklift 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 every day would you be utilizing this machine? Will you be running the machine outdoors or indoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions accurately will ensure you are happy with the unit you select.
Step2: Used Vs. Brand new Lift Trucks
You might want to buy a new unit of lift truck if you are intending to utilize your forklift for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A used alternative would probably be enough for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Typically, the big batteries which power electric lift trucks can run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor use since they produce no harmful emissions. Even if electric units are usually more expensive compared to various other types of forklifts, they have less operating expenses. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to take into account. Furthermore, these types of equipment have less moving parts so they have a longer life span since they have less parts to get worn down.
Amongst the disadvantages of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging stations and this can take about 8 hours. There is an additional 8 hours required for cooling. Recent innovations have made their way onto the market so as to significantly 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, which is a combination of the two types of tire. The pneumatic tire style is best suited to be used outside. Cushion tires are great to be utilized inside and solid pneumatic tires are the best alternative for dangerous work environments where there is a chance for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.