5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Forklift

Tony Murphy

Do you know if you're buying the right lift for you? 

We understand buying a forklift is confusing at times, there are so many factors and elements to the buying decision. It can get overwhelming, and frankly... we know and understand that you don't have time to learn about the details of forklifts during your busy schedule. So we came up with an easy to understand list of 5 things you need to know before buying a forklift.

 

1. Know your capacity!

Lets be honest, this one seems like a no brainer. But you'd be surprised at how many people come to us unsure of the capacity they need. Is 5000lbs enough? Is it way more than I need? So you need to ask yourself what realistic capacity you would need in a forklift. Don't over pay for an incredibly high capacity forklift if you won't even use it for what its intended to.

 

2. What is your max height you need?

Size does matter. When selecting a forklift, always make sure the mast height does not exceed the height of the lowest door clearance of your facility. Another one we see pretty often is that people don't necessarily consider how high they need to reach with their forklift. Height on a forklift can be confusing, there are a lot of factors with different types of masts. For instance, if you are operating inside a box trailer or truck you will need a free lift mast. We make it easy for you, just let us know the maximum or minimum height that you need to reach and we'll show you the options we have that are right for you! 

P.S. Be mindful, that you also have to account for clearance overhead with your maximum height when working in a warehouse. 

 

 

3. What type of fuel do you need?

This is another easily overlooked option in a forklift buying decision. There are several different types of fuel types for forklifts, whether it be Diesel or Gas, everyone is familiar with, but fuel consumption is on the higher side and you have to consider the exhaust fumes, or you've got propane (LPG) or electric, both more catered to work best in indoor situations. Propane is a very clean burning fuel source, and electric has zero exhaust, while still maintaining the power you need. (just don't forget the charger!)

 

 

4. What tires are the right tires for you?

There is a very confusing world of tires when it comes to forklift. Customers come to us on a regular basis, asking what it means for pneumatic tires, or cushion tires. We can make the decision easy for you, just consider what type of surface you will be operating on. A hard flat concrete surface? Solid cushion will be wonderful for that! Or do you plan on operating outdoors? Maybe you need a little bit of traction with some heavy duty pneumatic tires. Either way, we can help you make the best decision as long as you know what your needs are from the start.

 

 

5. What about Forks & Attachments?

This is probably the most overlooked piece when it comes to buying a forklift. What are you going to be picking up with your forklift? If you're using standard 48" pallets for, the recommended is a standard set of 42" forks. Forks should be slightly shorter than the pallet being moved, because forks that stick out through the other side can cause damage to other shelved items. Longer forks also decrease a forklifts overall turning radius, so always choose the shortest forks possible for the job. If you need any special attachments, be sure to let us know too. There are options for rotating your load, side shift for easy movement and storage, and even extra large forks for heavy duty big items.

 

Still unsure about which forklift to get? Fill out the form below and one of our representatives will contact you to further assist you through this process:

(Or call us at (407) 695-4387)



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