Buying Tips
When purchasing a lift truck, there are many factors to take into account since this decision could impact a lot of things like production, operating expenses, equipment downtime, and even employee morale.
When you are thinking of choosing a new or second-hand forklift, the following is a brief list of factors to take into consideration. There can be several particular questions the sales consultant must deal with to be able to help you select the best alternative that is best for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Taking the time to identify your needs would help ensure that you could find a capable equipment. 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 machine? Will you be running the machine indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions correctly will ensure you are satisfied with the unit you select.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. Brand new Forklifts
If you are intending to utilize your lift truck more than 4 hours a day, you will probably want to purchase a new unit. The warranty benefits alone would really be handy. A second-hand choice would more than likely be adequate for infrequent applications and light duty.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The huge electric lift truck batteries would allow the forklift to run for around 8 hours. These particular power sources make lift trucks uniquely suited for indoor application since they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric models are usually more expensive compared to other models, they have lower operating expenses. Electric forklifts are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to take into consideration. Furthermore, these machinery have less moving components so they have a longer life span since they have fewer parts to get worn down.
Among the disadvantages of the battery operated lift trucks is that they need battery recharging posts and this can take roughly 8 hours. There is an added 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent innovations have made their way onto the market in order to significantly reduce charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common forklifts use cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they would be equipped with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Some forklifts will utilize a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire style is great to be utilized outdoors. Cushion tires are perfect to be utilized inside and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect choice for dangerous work environments where there is potential for regular tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.