Buying Tips
When buying a lift truck, there are actually many factors to take into consideration as this decision can impact many things like production, operating expenses, equipment downtime, and even worker morale.
Below is a short list of factors to consider when deciding on a brand new or used forklift. There are actually several particular questions the sales consultant has to address in order to help you pick the best alternative that is right for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Making the time to identify your needs would help ensure that you could find a capable machinery. What size are your average loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours each day would you be using this machine? Would you be running the equipment indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Answering these questions accurately would make certain that you are satisfied with the unit you select.
Step2: Used Vs. New Lift Trucks
You may want to buy a new unit of lift truck if you are planning to utilize your forklift for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A used choice would probably be enough for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Usually, the big batteries that power electric lift trucks could run for an 8 hour shift. The electric units are best suited for indoor use since they produce no harmful emissions. Although electric models are generally more expensive compared to different other types of lift trucks, they have less operating costs. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to consider. What's more, these machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span because they have less components to get worn down.
Among the disadvantages of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging posts and this could take around 8 hours. There is an additional 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent innovations 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 inflated, air-filled tires. Some forklifts will use a solid pneumatic tires, that is a combination of the two types of tire. The pneumatic tire kind is best suited for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are best to be used indoors and solid pneumatic tires are the best choice for dangerous work settings where there is potential for standard tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.