Fork Lift Trucks

What are your forklift requirements?

Forklifts are used in commercial and industrial environments to lift and transport items. The characteristic steel L-shaped fork is typically used to lift shipping pallets, but can be fitted with different accessories to lift specific loads.

Different forklifts vary on the amount of weight or capacity they can lift. The forklift truck can carry from 3 000 lbs to 30 000 lbs or more. Forklift capacity is based on a 24 inch ‘load centre’, meaning the distance from the centre of gravity to the sides is 24”. Another way to think about this is that a forklift can lift its maximum weight if the load is a four-foot cube.

Think about how much variation there is in your loads. If this may change over time, you may want to buy a truck with more capacity than you need currently. Another question you will need to answer before purchasing a fork truck is the height to which it must reach. Unlike capacity, however, this is unlikely to change over time.

In a warehouse, you will need to consider the size of the fork lift. Standard forklift trucks need aisles that are 11’ wide or larger. For 8’ to 10’ aisles, a narrow aisle (NA) truck will be needed, or for 6’ aisles, a very narrow aisle (VNA) truck. These narrow trucks have forks that are turned at a right angle, so they can drive straight down the aisle and pick up loads to the side.

Other aspects to take into consideration when looking to buy forklift trucks are safety features, ergonomics, attachments, sideshift, and tilt mast. Do bear in mind that attachments like sideshift, adjustable forks, and spool handlers reduce capacity load of trucks.

Electric - The electric forklift is powered by large, heavy lead acid batteries. Fully charged, they can run for an 8 hour shift, or 5 or 6 hours of constant use.

• Advantages: They produce zero emissions which is vital indoors. Electric forklifts have a lower cost per hour of operation than any of the internal combustion (IC) models. Other advantages are that they are quieter to operate, and often have a longer life span than an IC forklift as they are used in cleaner environments.
• Disadvantages: They have a higher initial cost. They can cost 20 - 40% more than an IC forklift. Another downside to electric lift trucks is that their batteries need 8 hours charging, and 8 hours of cooling time before it can be used. As such, extra batteries will be needed so there can be one charging whilst one is in use, if the forklift truck is need for 2 or 3 shifts. You will also need a battery charging station, which should be kept in dry, ventilated and temperature controlled location. If you have multiple batteries, a special crane will be needed to change the batteries. Also, electric forklifts are not suited to outdoor use as they cannot be used in the rain.

Internal Combustion - If you need a capacity bigger than 15 000 lbs an IC forklift is definitely needed. These can be run on a variety of fuels: petrol, diesel, liquid propane gas (LPG), or compressed natural gas (CNG). Of these, only propane-fuelled lifts can be used indoors, and require ventilation.

• Advantages: The main benefit is the speed of re-fuelling. Also, they are cheaper to buy initially, but cost more per hour to run. They can also push or tow loads, as well as lifting and driving, and have better acceleration and top speeds.
• Disadvantages: For some IC equipment there is an extra expense of re-fuelling equipment. Petrol and diesel fuel require you to have storage tanks and pumps. Furthermore, the petrol and diesel forklift cannot be used indoors at all.

Another fuel option - Hydrogen fuel cells have zero emissions and quiet operation, and can be re-fuelled as quickly as petrol or diesel, with no re-charging times.

Cushion tyres – These are made of solid rubber, and are better suited to indoor use. Electric forklifts are only available with this type of tyre.

Pneumatic tyres – Inflated with compressed air, the more expensive pneumatic tyres are better suited to outdoor work. For heavy lifting outdoors or uneven terrain, a diesel or petrol forklift with pneumatic tyres is the most popular choice.

Solid pneumatic tyres – This is ideal for outdoor use where there is the possibility of puncturing pneumatic tyres. They combine solid rubber construction with the ability to cope with rough terrains. They are more expensive than cushion or pneumatic tyres however.

Buying

• New – If you are using your forklift for more than four hours a day it is better to buy a new model. Operating and maintenance costs of used equipment may soon eradicate any initial savings. New forklifts with technology advantages, tolerance to abuse and harsh environments, and greater long-term reliability will all increase the cost of forklift sales.
• Used – Many used forklifts are reconditioned with a paint job, new tyres, a thorough engine tune-up, and any other mechanical repairs that may be needed. ‘As-is’ trucks can cost even less, but may not be in the condition you might expect.

It is important to consider operating costs per hour, as these are critical to determining the real cost of your forklift. This cost includes fuel, maintenance, supplies like oil, batteries, filters, and the time required to take care of the fork lift truck.

Rent

If you aren’t familiar with forklifts consider renting. With fork lift hire, you can test the capabilities of the truck and find out if it is appropriate without the pressure of long term leasing or purchasing. Furthermore, the rental company will take care of any maintenance or repairs.

Lease

Due to the high cost of forklifts, most are leased. Some manufacturers lease through their dealers, or a dealer may have an arrangement with a bank or leasing company. If dealing with a third party, compare the financing terms with your own business bank.

Long-term rental

Usually over 12 months, long term forklift hire differs from a lease by being based on a monthly fee, and can be cancelled any time after the minimum. This can be economic for temporary projects or contractors, as they have lower monthly rates than short term rentals and regular maintenance included.

Preventative maintenance plans cover oil and filter changes, transmission servicing and general check-ups. For an additional cost, a full maintenance plan covers any breakdowns and repairs that are needed. On older equipment, this is a useful insurance plan.