Fork Lifts

Forklifts or lift trucks are named for the L-shaped ‘forks’ used to lift shipping pellets or equipped with accessories for lifting up drums, spools and other specific loads. Manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, lumber yards, all depend on forklifts of many types and sizes to run their operations smoothly. Forklifts are available for indoor as well as outdoor applications. Depending on the size, they can carry loads of 3000 lbs to 35,000 lbs.

How do you choose a forklift?

Answer the following questions before you start.

• Would you be utilizing it outdoors, indoors, or both?
• How many hours will it be used daily?

Capacity: Forklift trucks are rated by the weight they can lift. 3000lbs to 8000lbs forklifts sell the most but you can buy forklifts up to 35,000 lbs capacity. Size of the load is important. If your load is more than four feet cube, the forklift will not be able to lift its rated weight. Ask the forklift dealer to determine the right size for your needs. Purchase a higher capacity forklift if your load size is going to increase in the future.

Height: Consider the height of the shelves to find out the reach your forklift will need. Unless you have renovation plans and would change the shelf height, buy for current height of the shelves.

Check the aisle size: Standard forklifts need aisles that are 11’ wide or more to operate and turn around. For smaller aisles that are 8’-10’ wide, a narrow aisle (NA) truck is required and for aisles 6’ wide, a very narrow aisle (VNA) truck. Narrow aisle trucks have forks that can be turned at right angles, enabling them to be driven down the aisle.

Type of Tires: Tires are of three kinds. Cushion tires are best for internal applications. They are made of solid rubber, and are used by electric forklifts. Pneumatic tires are inflated with compressed air and the best choice for forklifts that are used outdoors. These are more expensive than cushion tires.  Solid pneumatic tires work best in outdoor environments in rough terrain where the risk of getting flats is high. These are a combination of cushion and pneumatic tires and are the costliest option.

Safety features: Features like headlights, backup beepers, flash amber lights and other features are sold with most standard forklifts.

Used Vs New: Buy a new forklift if you will use it for more than four hours per day else buy used. Used forklifts are reconditioned with all major defects fixed including a new paint job and tires. Ask for a good warranty if you buy a used forklift.

Attachments: If you need to handle 55-gallon drums, ask for appropriate size tongs. You may also get special tools to pick up cable or rolls of steel and flat panels for lifting items not on pallets.

Ergonomics: For employees who use the forklifts daily need comfortable controls and adjustable seats. This can lessen the risk of stress injuries caused due to repititive tasks.
Tilt mast: Tilt mast and forks that move back and forth, makes it easier to load the truck on uneven ground.

Sideshift: It allows the operator to move the load left and right, without moving the truck, allowing precise load placement.

What are the options for powering forklifts?

Electric forklifts are powered by large lead-acid batteries. They provide enough power for an eight-hour shift or 5-6 hours of constant usage. Batteries take about eight hours to charge and another eight hours to cool down before the forklift can be used again. You will need to install battery charging station to charge the forklifts. They produce no emissions; operate quietly, have no fuel storage requirement and have longer life span than internal combustion type forklifts. They also have a lower hourly cost of operation than the internal combustion models but cost 20%-40% more than similarly rated internal combustion forklifts.

Internal combustion engines operate on diesel, gasoline, (CNG) compressed natural gas, or (LPG) liquid propane gas. They can be refueled quickly. The initial cost of the lift is lower than electric forklift, but hourly running cost is higher. Internal Combustion forklifts are more suitable for largest loads, especially more than 15,000 lbs. They are more useful to tow or push loads rather than driving and lifting. They also have better accelerations and higher maximum speeds. Fuel costs depends on the fuel price at your location. Diesel forklists generally has lower running costs than LPG. Gasoline engines are usually the most expensive to run.

If you are not very familiar with forklifts, it is advisable to rent a different model every month to test and get a feel for them. Finally consider a brand that has a dealer in the area who can caters for the warranty and repairs.

How do you choose a forklift dealer?
Dealer should be reputable and provide first-rate service. Important questions to ask before you evaluate the dealers.

• How much time have you been in business?
• How many technicians do you have?
• Do you do on-site service?
• What types of parts inventory do you keep on site?
• What type of insurance do you hold?
• Is there a guaranteed response time in case of equipment break down?

Ask for a demonstration at your location and check also check the dealership. Most vendors bring the fork truck models chosen by you to your location allowing you to use it for a couple of days and test.  Enquire about their service plans as most vendors provide preventive maintenance plans that cover filter and oil changes, general regular check-ups and transmission service.

Ask the dealer to help you pick an appropriate load. They will come and measuring your aisles, doorways and examine loads to narrow down the choice. Also enquire if the dealer provides training and licensing as per (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as its mandatory for operators to pass classroom training and a driving test before being licensed. Your dealers may be able to help you get financing or a lease.

Rememeber to check references before you decide to purchase from a dealer.

How much does a forklift cost?

Prices vary by brand, the quality, your specific needs, vendor’s reliability and location of the vendor.