Buying Tips
There is certainly many things to take into consideration when purchasing a forklift. Choosing the best machine can have a big impact on everything from production to operating costs, to machine downtime and employee morale.
Below is a brief list of things to consider when deciding on a new or second-hand lift truck. There are several specific questions the sales consultant needs to deal with to be able to help you pick the best alternative which is best for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Identifying your requirements would ultimately help that you could find the best most capable forklift for your company. How large are your typical load sizes? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day would you be using this machinery? Would you be running the machinery indoors or outdoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions accurately will make certain that you are happy with the unit you select.
Step2: New Vs. Second-hand Lift Trucks
You may want to buy a brand new model of forklift if you are intending to utilize your lift truck for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A second-hand option will probably be enough for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The large electric lift truck batteries would allow the forklift to run for about 8 hours. These specific power sources make forklifts uniquely suited for indoor application because they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric models are generally more expensive compared to various other kinds of forklifts, they have lower operating expenses. Electric lift trucks are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to think about. In addition, these kinds of equipment have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span since they have fewer parts to get worn down.
The electric forklift is not without its downsides though. These machines require recharging posts that 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 lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a great 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. Some lift trucks would utilize a solid pneumatic tires, that is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire type is perfect for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are great for interior applications and solid pneumatic tires are the best choice for hazardous work environments where there is a chance for standard tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.