Buying Tips
When buying a lift truck, there are actually a lot of factors to take into account because this decision could impact numerous things like productivity, operating costs, machine downtime, and even worker morale.
Here is a brief list of factors to think about when deciding on a new or used lift truck. There is certainly several particular questions the sales consultant has to address in order to help you choose the best option that is most suitable for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Making the time to identify your requirements will help ensure that you could find a capable machine. What size are your standard loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day will you be utilizing this equipment? Would you be running the machine outdoors or indoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions correctly will make sure that you are happy with the unit you select.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. Brand new Forklifts
You might want to purchase a new unit of lift truck if you are intending to use your lift truck for more than 4 hours per day. The warranty benefits alone will really be handy. A used option would more than likely be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Typically, the big batteries that power electric forklifts can run for an 8 hour shift. The electric models are best suited for indoor applications as they produce no harmful emissions. Although electric units are usually more expensive compared to different other kinds of lift trucks, they have lower operating expenses. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to take into account. As well, these types of machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span because they have less parts to get worn down.
One of the downsides of the battery operated lift trucks is that they need battery recharging stations and this could take approximately 8 hours. There is an additional 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent changes have made their way onto the market so as to considerably reduce charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Forklifts 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 which are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire type is best suited to be used outside. Cushion tires are great for interior use and solid pneumatic tires are the best choice for hazardous work environments where there is potential for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.