How to Find The Best Forklift for Your Operation

Today we are going to explain how you can find the best forklift for your operation.

We have over 40 years in the material handling industry and we would love to share our expertise and experience with you.

This post will let you know what you should be looking for when trying to purchase the best forklift for your particular needs. So, let's get started.

Different forklifts are designed for different applications

How to Find the Best Forklift for Your Operation

All forklifts are not the same and not every forklift will work for every application. There are a wide variety of different forklifts designed to suit different operations. So, how can you know which one is the best forklift for your needs?

The main things that you need to consider when choosing the best forklift include:

• The type of power it uses

• The load capacity

• Where your forklift will be used

• The dimensions of your facility

Taking all of the above into consideration before you buy will help to ensure that you make the right choice.

You need to consider a number of different factors when choosing the best forklift

The Type of Power You Need

There are different types of power used to run forklifts: electric, propane, gasoline, and diesel.

Electric Forklifts: Electric forklifts are generally better suited for lifting lighter loads. Heavier loads will run down your battery very quickly so you will need to charge them more often. As well, most electric forklifts don't have enough power to lift heavier loads.

Internal Combustion (IC) Forklifts: Internal combustion engines run on fuels including propane, gasoline, and diesel. An IC engine tends to be much more powerful than an electric one. Therefore, IC forklifts are a much better choice for lifting heavier loads.

Internal combustion forklifts are better for lifting heavy loads

The Load Capacity

The load capacity is the recommended maximum weight that your forklift is designed to carry. You should know the weight of the loads that you want your forklift to be moving and lifting when you are purchasing your forklift.

You need to make sure that you are buying a forklift that can handle the weights that you need it to. Lifting above the recommended capacity of your forklift is dangerous and will damage your machine.

Load capacities range anywhere from 3,000 lbs up to 70,000+ lbs. The recommended maximum load capacity will be written on the data plate of each forklift.

Look on the data plate to find the forklift’s maximum load lifting capacity

Where Your Forklift Will Be Used

Where you plan to use your forklift (indoors, outdoors, or both) will affect the type of forklift that you choose.

Indoor Use:

Cushion Forklifts: The best tire for indoor use is a cushion tire. Cushion tires perform well on smooth surfaces such as warehouse flooring, but they do not do well on rough outdoor surfaces.

Electric Forklifts: If you are only using your forklift indoors, then an electric model is your best option. Electric forklifts don't give off harmful emissions so they are safe for indoor use. In addition, if your warehouse stores food products, then electric forklifts are your only option.

Electric forklifts are your best choice for operating indoors

Propane Forklifts: If you aren't storing food products, then you can also choose a propane-fueled forklift indoors, because they are a cleaner burning fuel than gas or diesel.

However, you do need to follow safety procedures to make sure that there is no risk of your workers being exposed to high concentrations of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

When using propane forklifts indoors:

• Make sure that your facility has proper ventilation

• Make sure that you keep your propane forklift engines well maintained

• Make sure that you change the propane tanks outside or in a well-ventilated area away from anything that could ignite the gas

• Only allow trained individuals to handle, refill, and store the liquid propane fuel

For more information on safe propane forklift practices, click here. Regular maintenance, tuning of propane-powered engines, and inspection of vehicle exhaust systems for leaks keep the exposure to a minimum.

The exposure limit values for propane fuel may vary from place to place, so contact your jurisdiction for occupational health and safety to find out their recommendations.

Propane forklifts can be used both indoors and outdoors

Outdoor Use:

IC Gas or Diesel Forklifts: Forklifts that use gasoline or diesel should only be used outside. These types of forklifts give off harmful emissions so you should stay away from these if you need to operate your forklift indoors.

Pneumatic Forklifts: Also when choosing a forklift for outdoor use, you should purchase one with pneumatic tires. This type of tire is designed for the rugged and uneven surfaces that you find outside.

Diesel and gas powered forklifts should be operated outdoors

Both Indoor and Outdoor Use:

Propane Forklifts: If you need your forklift to operate both indoors and outdoors, then a propane forklift is your best choice. However, you need to follow the safety practices outlined in the above "indoor" section when operating your propane forklift indoors.

The Dimensions of Your Facility

The dimensions of your facility should play a large role in your selection of the best forklift for your needs. The following dimensions should be taken into consideration when you make your choice:

The height of your facility: Roof and rack heights vary between facilities. You want to purchase a forklift that is going to be able to reach high enough to accommodate your highest racking.

On the other hand, you don't want to have to pay for a forklift that can reach higher than what you actually need either.

The width of your aisles: It's no good getting a forklift that is too big to fit comfortably into your facility. If you have wide aisles, then you can choose a forklift that is wider. If your aisles are narrow, then you need to purchase a narrow-aisle model.

If your space is limited, you may need to choose a narrow-aisle forklift

The turning radius of your aisles: In addition to how wide your aisles are, you need to also look at how much space you have at the ends and make sure that the forklift you choose is able to easily navigate around those corners.

How Durable the Forklift Is

A forklift is a sizeable investment. However, you shouldn't just consider the purchase price when choosing a forklift.

Maintenance and repair costs add up quickly so it is important to look at the total cost of ownership rather than just purchasing the cheapest forklift you can find.

A lower quality forklift will probably require more repairs and won't last as long as a higher quality one. Take a look at the track record of the manufacturer that you are considering and choose one that is known for its reliable and durable machines.

A good warranty is a good indicator of the quality of the forklift. If a manufacturer is willing to offer a great warranty, they know that their product is great and will be reliable.

Komatsu, for example makes one of the most durable forklifts in the industry and they back it up with the longest warranty as well.

Komatsu forklifts are very durable and they give the longest warranty in the industry

Need Help Choosing the Best Forklift? Contact Wayco

Whether you are in the market for a new or used forklift, talk to the professionals at Wayco. Selecting the best forklift for your particular situation isn’t easy, but the experts at Wayco can help.

They will listen to your needs and match you up with the perfect forklift to meet those needs and your budget.

Wayco also offers the best warranties in the business for both new and used forklifts so you can purchase with confidence! Contact us today!

“I have used Wayco twice, and both times I experienced excellent customer service. They had the right forklift for my needs at a reasonable price. I will be using their services in the future and recommend you do as well.”

- Gabe Gartner
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