Buying Tips
When purchasing a forklift, there are actually a lot of factors to take into consideration as this decision can impact a lot of things like productivity, operating expenses, machine downtime, and even worker morale.
Here is a brief list of things to consider when deciding on a brand new or second-hand forklift. There can be several specific questions the sales consultant needs to address in order to help you choose the best alternative which is best for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Taking the time to identify your needs would help ensure that you can find a capable machinery. What size are your typical loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours each day will you be utilizing this machine? Will you be running the machinery indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Correctly answering these questions would make certain that you are satisfied with the unit you pick.
Step2: Used Vs. New Forklifts
You may want to purchase a brand new model of lift truck if you are intending to use your lift truck for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A second-hand choice would probably be enough for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The large electric lift truck batteries would allow the lift truck to run for around 8 hours. These specific power sources make forklifts uniquely suited for indoor application because they produce no harmful emissions. Although electric models are normally more expensive than different 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 take into account. What's more, these types of machines have less moving components so they have a longer life span as they have fewer parts to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its disadvantages though. These machines need recharging stations that could take as much 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 significantly lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a great new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common lift trucks use cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they will be equipped with pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires. Several forklifts will use a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire style is perfect to be used outside. Cushion tires are perfect for interior applications and solid pneumatic tires are the best alternative for dangerous work environments where there is a chance for regular tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.