Choosing the right equipment for your needs can be confusing especially if you’re not familiar with the different types of forklifts out there. We want to help you make the best choice for your business. Below you’ll find common forklift questions to keep in mind when looking for a lift.
A forklift’s capacity is affected by the size of the load so knowing how high you need to lift the material and the dimensions of the load are important.
Do you have a loading dock or need to go into a shipping container or trailer? The answers to these questions will affect the size, lifting capacity and maneuverability of the forklift you need.
There are several important things to keep in mind regarding how you store your material when choosing the right forklift for the job. Is the area well ventilated? Are there concerns with explosive material or environments? Are you in a warehouse where employees need to be lifted to break bulk and select merchandise? Do you move heavy loads in uneven terrain? Is it temperature controlled? How much room do you have to move around in? All these concerns factor into what forklift will be the best fit for your needs.
Height and load size determines the capacity of a forklift needed. For example, a larger load size will move the lift´s center of gravity which reduces the lifting capacity.
Deciding what you want for options will depend on your needs versus luxury.
There are many types of forklifts, and each serves a specific need. Choosing the right lift for the job can make a big difference in how efficient and productive your company operates. With many factors to consider before buying or leasing a forklift, review some common questions below to see what type of forklift is right for you. If you still aren’t sure what is right for your needs, one of our material handling experts is happy to assist you!
You can also check out our Forklift Information page and Types of Forklifts page for even more helpful information!
These lifts are electric-motor rider trucks. Trucks in this class may have 3 or 4 wheels with cushion (solid) or pneumatic (air-filled tires. Includes both sit down and stand up types.
These lifts have electric-motor and are used for narrow aisle or inventory stock/order picking applications. They have solid tires. This class includes reach and deep (double) reach trucks as well as order selector trucks which are also known as “order pickers” or “cherry pickers.” Other narrow aisle trucks include stand up straddles, swing masts, sideloaders and turret trucks.
Electric or hand-powered pallet jacks are primarily used for loading and unloading trailers and for short horizontal material handling. Low lift electric hand pallet jacks are also known as “walkies.” They have solid tires. They use pallet forks or a platform to haul loads several inches off the ground.
Traditional lifts powered by either liquid propane gas(LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline and used primarily indoors.
Traditional lifts powered by either liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline or diesel fuel and used primarily outdoors.
These lifts are sit-down riders or tow tractor forklifts and are supplied with electric or internal combustion engines. Solid or pneumatic tires.
These lifts have pneumatic tires and are almost exclusively powered by diesel engines and used outdoors on rough terrain. Typical applications include agriculture, logging and construction.
The majority of lifts are specifically designed for a particular type of tire, and the right tire impacts the handling and safety of your forklift. When choosing the right tire, the most common options are pneumatic tires and cushion tires. These 2 types of tires have big differences that should be considered when deciding which tire works best for your needs.
Made of smooth, solid rubber that are attached to a round metal band. Sit down rider (sits low to the ground) allows for small turning radiuses and can maneuver in tight aisle spaces. Electric forklifts (i.e. order pickers and reach trucks) only come in cushion tires.
Made of treaded rubber and filled with compressed air. There are two types of Pneumatic tires: solid and air. Solids are made solely of rubber and designed to prevent leakage and puncture wounds when driving on surface that may have sharp objects. Airs are made with less rubber material and typically foam filled with liquid polyurethane material to provide more durability when driving over rough terrain.
There are 3 main types of fuel for running a lift: Gas, Diesel and Electric. It’s a common misconception that the only major differences between fuel types are: cost of forklift, operating costs and environmental impact. Of course, both cost and environmental impact certainly play a big part in making the right decision on which fuel type is right for the material handling equipment your business will be using. But the fuel type you need could depend entirely on the kind of business you run.
Gas forklifts are the most common type of forklift.
Pros: They can carry heavy loads, easy to refuel, low maintenance and have a longer life span.
Cons: Limited power and require a propane tank to provide fuel.
Electric forklifts are ideal for smaller warehouses and facilities.
Pros: Smaller in size, can be used in a non-ventilated closed environments and are quiet when operating.
Cons: Downtime when you need to recharge the machine and intermittent use can be detrimental to battery life.
Diesel forklifts are very powerful.
Pros: Low upkeep, easy to fuel and reliable.
Cons: Has emissions and are noisy.
Our team of forklift experts are always on hand to answer your questions, contact us today!
Forklifts are an important investment for any business. and there are a few general rules to keep in mind when assessing the price of a forklift. It’s important to be aware of what you’re paying for, from upfront costs, to maintenance and the overall cost of ownership. Our forklift information guide gives you some key points to keep in mind when buying a forklift.
As there is such a wide range of manufactureres and extras, it’s hard to determine the right price. But here are some key points to help guide your decision.
Check out our current New & Used Forklift For Sale to find the best forklift at the best price!
Yes, we do! Find out more about our forklift financing here, or request a quote. It’s fast and easy!
Need help deciding whether you need solid or pneumatic tires? Is gas or electric right for you? Or maybe you’re unsure what type of lift mast you need. Our forklift experts have many years of experience to answer your questions and help you choose the right new or used lift for your needs!
Contact one of our material handling experts at the following phone numbers, or via the internet by using the contact form below.
Our forklift experts have many years of experience to answer your questions and help you choose the right new or used lift for your needs!