Buying a forklift can seem like a daunting prospect if you happen to be a first-time buyer or it’s been a long time since you’ve owned one. A fork truck represents a significant capital investment, however, it can be an invaluable addition to your business that can boost productivity.
Before embarking on your journey to purchasing a forklift truck, you should ask yourself the following key questions before taking a step further:
How much do you need to lift?
Consider the average load you anticipate to be lifting on a regular basis. Do you foresee any periodic loads that will be heavier? There is also the load centre of what is being lifted to consider. Will you primarily be lifting pallets or loads with unusual dimensions?
Where will you be using the forklift truck?
If you primarily intend to operate your forklift outdoors then a diesel fork truck would be more than ideal. If your usage is a mixture of indoors and outdoors then a gas forklift truck would fit the bill. For indoor usage only, an electric fork truck would be an ideal solution.
How high do you need to lift?
Will you just be unloading lorries or lifting pallets into racking several metres high? Accurately measure how high you need to lift your intended load.
Does your premises have any height restrictions?
Make sure the overall height of the mast or the fork truck itself won’t pose any issues in terms of height restrictions. Will it have to navigate through any low doorways, work under mezzanine floors, or will it be used for loading/unloading shipping containers?
How much do you anticipate using the fork truck?
For up to 3 to 4 hours of operation a day, a used fork truck would suit your requirements. If you’re looking at 5 or more hours of usage per day, then a new forklift truck would be the ideal move.
Will you be using any attachments?
Nowadays, a side shift has become pretty much a standard feature on a forklift truck. However, there is a wide range of attachments that can be fitted to a fork truck to boost productivity.
Some of them merely require a single hydraulic function to operate, while others require two or more hydraulic functions. Therefore, it is essential to check the fork truck you’re looking at has the required number of hydraulic valves to be able to operate your desired attachment.
What tyres will you require?
If working on uneven ground, pneumatic tyres are best suited for this application. For smooth surfaces both indoors and outdoors, solid tyres are ideal. If you want your tyres to leave no black residue on the surface, then non-marking tyres will be required.
How wide are the aisles the forklift truck will be working in?
If you have narrow aisles, make sure the turning circle of the fork truck is low enough to operate safely between them. For very narrow aisles, a 3-wheel forklift or articulated fork truck may be required to work within those aisles.