Buying Tips
There are a lot of factors to take into account when buying a lift truck. Deciding on the right machine can have a huge effect on everything from production to operating costs, to equipment downtime and employee morale.
Below is a short list of factors to think about when deciding on a new or second-hand lift truck. There can be some particular questions the sales consultant has to address in order to help you select the best option that is right for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Taking the time to identify your needs would help ensure that you can 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 every day will you be using this equipment? Would you be running the equipment indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to go through? Answering these questions correctly will ensure you are satisfied with the model you select.
Step2: Second-hand Vs. New Forklifts
You might want to purchase a new unit of lift truck if you are planning to utilize your lift truck for more than 4 hours a day. The warranty benefits alone will really be handy. A second-hand choice will probably be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
Normally, the huge batteries that power electric lift trucks could run for an 8 hour shift. The electric models are best suited for indoor applications as they generate no harmful emissions. Although electric units are normally more pricey compared to various other kinds of lift trucks, they have less operating expenses. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to take into consideration. Additionally, these types of machinery have fewer moving components so they have a longer life span since they have fewer parts to get worn down.
The electric lift truck is not without its disadvantages though. These machines need recharging posts which can take as long as 8 hours th charge. There is an added 8 hours required for cooling. Recent changes 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 will be equipped with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Several forklifts would utilize a solid pneumatic tires, which is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire kind is best suited for outside use. Cushion tires are best for indoor applications and solid pneumatic tires are the best option for hazardous work settings where there is potential for standard tires being popped by sharp objects on rough terrain.