Buying Tips
When purchasing a lift truck, there is certainly numerous factors to take into consideration since this decision could impact numerous things like production, operating expenses, equipment downtime, and even employee morale.
Below is a short list of things to think about when deciding on a new or second-hand lift truck. There are actually some particular questions the sales consultant should deal with to be able to help you pick the best option that is best for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Identifying your requirements would eventually help that you could find the best most capable forklift for your company. How large are your normal load sizes? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day will you be using this equipment? Will you be running the machinery indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Answering these questions correctly would make sure that you are satisfied with the unit you pick.
Step2: New Vs. Used Lift Trucks
If you are intending to use your lift truck more than 4 hours per day, you would probably want to buy a brand new unit. The warranty benefits alone will come in handy. A second-hand option would probably be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The big electric forklift batteries would allow the forklift to run for roughly 8 hours. These specific power sources make lift trucks uniquely suited for indoor use since they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric models are usually more expensive compared to various other types of forklifts, they have less operating costs. Electric lift trucks are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to take into consideration. Additionally, these types of machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span since they have fewer components to get worn down.
One of the downsides of the battery operated forklifts is that they require battery recharging posts and this can take around 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 wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Forklifts are equipped with either pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires or cushion tires which are made up of solid rubber. There are actually also solid pneumatic tires that are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire kind is great for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are best to be used indoors and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect choice for hazardous work environments where there is potential for standard tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.