Buying Tips
There can be a lot of factors to take into account when buying a lift truck. Choosing the best machine could have a big impact on everything from productivity to operating costs, to equipment downtime and worker morale.
When you are thinking of choosing a new or second-hand forklift, the following is a short list of factors to take into account. There can be some specific questions the sales consultant must deal with in order to help you select the best alternative that is most suitable for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Making the time to identify your requirements would help ensure that you could find a capable machinery. What size are your typical loads? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours each day would you be using this machinery? Would you be running the machinery outdoors or indoors or possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Accurately answering these questions would make certain that you are satisfied with the unit you select.
Step2: New Vs. Second-hand Lift Trucks
You might want to buy a brand new unit of forklift if you are planning to use your forklift for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone would truly be handy. A used alternative will probably be enough for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The large electric lift truck batteries will allow the lift truck to run for approximately 8 hours. These specific power sources make forklifts uniquely suited for indoor use since they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric units are generally more expensive compared to other models, they have lower operating expenses. Electric lift trucks are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to take into account. Also, these kinds of machinery have fewer moving parts so they have a longer life span since they have fewer components to get worn down.
Among the disadvantages of the battery operated lift trucks is that they need battery recharging stations 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 considerably lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common lift trucks use cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they would be equipped with pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires. Several forklifts will utilize a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire kind is great for outdoor use. Cushion tires are perfect for indoor use and solid pneumatic tires are the best choice for hazardous work environments where there is potential for regular tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.