Buying Tips
There can be many factors to take into account when buying a lift truck. Choosing the best machine can have a huge effect on everything from productivity to operating expenses, to machine downtime and worker morale.
Below is a short list of factors to think about when deciding on a new or used lift truck. There is certainly some specific questions the sales consultant has to address to be able to help you select the best alternative which is most suitable for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Identifying your requirements would eventually help that you can 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 each day would you be using this equipment? Will you be running the machine indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions accurately would make sure that you are happy with the model you select.
Step2: New Vs. Second-hand Lift Trucks
If you are planning to use your forklift more than 4 hours a day, you would probably want to purchase a new unit. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A second-hand alternative will probably be enough for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The large electric forklift batteries would allow the lift truck to run for approximately 8 hours. These particular power sources make forklifts uniquely suited for indoor application since they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric units are normally more pricey than various other kinds 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. Additionally, these types of machinery have fewer moving parts so they have a longer life span because they have less components to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its disadvantages though. These machinery require recharging posts that can take as much as 8 hours th charge. There is an additional 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent changes have made their way onto the market in order to considerably lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Lift Trucks are outfitted with either pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires or cushion tires which are made up of solid rubber. There are also solid pneumatic tires that are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire type is best suited for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are great for interior use and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect option for dangerous work settings where there is potential for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.