Buying Tips
There can be many factors to take into account when buying a lift truck. Choosing the best machine could have a big impact on everything from productivity to operating expenses, to machine downtime and employee morale.
When you are thinking of choosing a brand new or used forklift, the following is a short list of things to take into account. There is certainly some particular questions the sales consultant should deal with in order to help you select the best alternative that is most suitable for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Identifying your needs would ultimately help that you can find the best most capable lift truck 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 using this equipment? Would you be running the machinery indoors or outdoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Correctly answering these questions would make sure that you are happy with the model you choose.
Step2: Used Vs. Brand new Lift Trucks
If you are intending to utilize your forklift more than 4 hours a day, you would probably want to buy a brand new model. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A second-hand option 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 models are best suited for indoor applications since they produce no harmful emissions. Even if electric models are generally more expensive than different other types of lift trucks, they have less operating expenses. Electric lift trucks are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to think about. Also, these kinds of machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span because they have fewer parts to get worn down.
Amongst the disadvantages of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging posts and this could 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 reduce charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a great new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Forklifts are equipped with either pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires or cushion tires that are made up of solid rubber. There can be also solid pneumatic tires which are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire style is great for outside applications. Cushion tires are best for interior use and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect choice for hazardous work environments where there is a possibility for regular tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.