Prior to purchasing a new or used lift truck, there are several factors that you must take into consideration. Think about the following things before deciding.
Step 1: What exactly are your needs?
Knowing both the types and weight of your loads must be taken into consideration. Think about the maximum lifting height that you would require. Determine whether you will be utilizing the forklift outdoors or indoors, or both. Measure the width of your narrowest aisles and calculate how much maneuvering space there is. What would be the duration of use per day when it comes to hours?
Step 2: Is a used forklift your best option?
Buying a used forklift is a good idea if you would just use it four hours the most a day.
Step 3: Fuel options
As electric forklifts are fairly quiet and make no exhaust emissions, they are suitable for indoor applications. They have big batteries that should last eight hours before needing to be recharged. The cost of purchasing electric forklifts is higher, but the costs of operation are lower. On the plus side, they do not need space for fuel storage. They also tend to last longer as they have fewer moving components. However, the time it takes to recharge the battery has to be taken into consideration. This could as much as 16 hours, including recharging and cooling. And battery recharging stations might be required.
Step 4: Tire choice
Forklifts have cushion tires. There are some options when it comes to tires. Several are made of solid rubber, some are inflated, and some combine qualities of both - solid pneumatic tires. For indoor operation, cushion tires are suggested. For outdoor applications, pneumatic tires are better. Solid pneumatic tires are less likely to be punctured by sharp things or rough terrain so they are the best alternative for risky conditions.
Step 5: Think about additional options
Additional options should be considered when purchasing a new or used forklift truck. Look at the different kinds of attachments that you may require to customize your forklift. Check out the safety features and ergonomics of the forklift
Step 6: Evaluate your options
In order to find out what kind of forklift truly meets your needs, renting various models and brands is a great idea. A good dealer would agree to help you with this. This will guarantee that the model you ultimately buy is the right one for all your requirements. Be sure to consult with your dealer.