Buying Tips
When buying a lift truck, there are actually numerous things to take into account as this decision can impact lots of things like productivity, operating costs, equipment downtime, and even worker morale.
When you are thinking of choosing a brand new or used lift truck, the following is a brief list of things to take into consideration. There are several specific questions the sales consultant has to address in order to help you select the best option that is best for your business.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Making the time to identify your requirements will help ensure that you can find a capable machinery. What size are your average 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 possibly both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Accurately answering these questions will make sure that you are satisfied with the model you pick.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. New Forklifts
If you are intending to use your lift truck more than 4 hours per day, you will probably want to purchase a new unit. The warranty benefits alone would truly be handy. A second-hand option would probably be enough for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The large electric forklift batteries would allow the lift truck to run for about 8 hours. These particular power sources make lift trucks uniquely suited for indoor application as they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric models are usually more expensive compared to different other kinds of forklifts, they have less operating costs. Electric forklifts are much quieter to run and do not have fuel storage needs to take into account. As well, these machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span as they have fewer components 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 around 8 hours. There is an added 8 hours required for cooling. Recent changes have made their way onto the market so as to considerably lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a great new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Lift Trucks are equipped with either pneumatic or inflated, air-filled tires or cushion tires that are made up of solid rubber. There is certainly also solid pneumatic tires that are a combination of the two. The pneumatic tire kind is perfect for outdoor use. Cushion tires are perfect for interior use and solid pneumatic tires are the perfect option for hazardous work settings where there is potential for standard tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.