Buying Tips
There are actually a lot of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a lift truck. Deciding on the right machine could have a huge effect on everything from production to operating costs, to equipment downtime and worker morale.
Below is a brief list of things to think about when deciding on a brand new or used forklift. There are actually several particular questions the sales consultant must address to be able to help you select the best alternative that is best for your company.
Step 1: Identify Your Requirements
Identifying your needs would eventually help that you can find the best most capable lift truck for your company. How large are your standard load sizes? Are they 3,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds or even heavier? How many hours every day will you be utilizing this equipment? Would you be running the machinery indoors or outdoors or potentially both? How wide are your narrowest aisles to travel through? Answering these questions correctly will make certain that you are satisfied with the model you select.
Step2: New Vs. Second-hand Lift Trucks
You might want to purchase a brand new unit of lift truck if you are intending to use your forklift for more than 4 hours per day. The warranty benefits alone would come in handy. A used option will probably be adequate for light duty and infrequent applications.
Step 3: Fuel Options
The big electric forklift batteries would allow the forklift to run for approximately 8 hours. These particular power sources make forklifts uniquely suited for indoor application because they generate no harmful emissions. Even if electric units are generally more pricey than other models, they have less operating expenses. Electric forklifts are a lot quieter to run and do not have fuel storage requirements to think about. Also, these types of machinery have fewer moving parts so they have a longer life span since they have less parts to get worn down.
Amongst the downsides of the battery operated lift trucks is that they require battery recharging stations and this could take about 8 hours. There is an added 8 hours needed for cooling. Recent changes have made their way onto the market so as to significantly lessen charging time. The fast-charge technology has become a wonderful new thing.
Step 4: Tire Choice
Common lift trucks utilize cushion tires made up of solid rubber or they will be equipped with pneumatic or air-filled, inflated tires. Some lift trucks will use a solid pneumatic tires, that is a combination of the two kinds of tire. The pneumatic tire type is perfect for outdoor applications. Cushion tires are perfect for indoor use and solid pneumatic tires are the best option for hazardous work environments where there is a risk for regular tires being popped by rough terrain or sharp objects.