Buying Tips
There are many factors to take into consideration when purchasing a lift truck. Choosing the best machine could have a big impact on everything from productivity to operating costs, to machine downtime and worker morale.
Here is a short list of things to consider when deciding on a brand new or second-hand forklift. There are some particular questions the sales consultant should deal with in order to help you choose the best alternative that is right for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Identifying your requirements will ultimately help that you can find the best most capable forklift for your business. How large are your standard load sizes? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours each day would you be using this equipment? Will you be running the equipment indoors or outdoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Accurately answering these questions would make certain that you are satisfied with the unit you pick.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. New Forklifts
If you are intending to utilize your lift truck more than 4 hours a day, you will probably want to purchase a brand new model. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A second-hand alternative will probably be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Normally, the large batteries that power electric forklifts could run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor applications as they produce no harmful emissions. Although electric units are generally more pricey compared to other models, they have lower operating costs. Electric lift trucks are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to consider. In addition, these kinds of equipment have fewer moving parts so they have a longer life span because they have less parts to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its downsides though. These equipment require recharging posts which can take as long as 8 hours th charge. There is an additional 8 hours required 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 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 inflated, air-filled tires. Several forklifts will use a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two types of tire. The pneumatic tire style is great for outdoor use. Cushion tires are best to be used indoors and solid pneumatic tires are the best option for dangerous work settings where there is potential for standard tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.