Thanks to the wide application of forklifts, more and more people decide to use them in their business activities. Small dimensions, agility, inexpensive maintenance costs, high and broadly understood functionality make them an attractive option for farmers, warehouse owners, shop owners, construction/service companies, and many, many others – this is just the tip of the iceberg. A device capable of transporting or stacking goods on shelves that would be impossible for a human to lift, even in tight spaces, makes forklifts man’s second best friend. Forklifts have the characteristic that their purchase must be well thought out, just like any other, but in this case, several key issues must be taken into account:
- Width of premises/corridors (this determines the ease of maneuvering the forklift and work efficiency)
- Length of route to be covered.
- Weight to be transported (not average, but the maximum possible during work, important for selecting maximum lifting capacity)
- Height of stacked goods (mainly in warehouse work)
- Place/places of goods collection or retrieval (e.g., when working with trailers, it’s worth choosing longer forks)
- Terrain where the forklift will work (for muddy terrain we choose off-road tires and preferably higher machine power, most often in construction services)
So when the idea comes to mind – “I’ll buy a forklift” let’s not act on impulse, which is a habit for some, because just by looking at the last point, the thought will change to – “I’ll buy a forklift, but an off-road one” it’s best to familiarize yourself first with the available types, which we divide into:
- Manual
- Internal combustion
- Electric
Manual Forklifts
Also commonly called pallet jacks, we can often see them in stores, serving employees to transport pallets while stacking goods. They are the cheapest to maintain, no need to fuel them as the drive is manual, the only cost is related to fork or frame wear, and due to transporting loads of relatively small weight, this is not frequent. Manual forklifts can simply lift goods only 20 cm, so they serve strictly for transport, however there are also models equipped with a mast lifting to heights of even 2 meters.
Internal Combustion Forklifts
They are characterized by the highest efficiency, can lift goods weighing up to 25 tons, can be powered by diesel or gas. Due to exhaust emissions, it is recommended to use them outside buildings. The heavier the lifted weight, the heavier the forklift itself, so it’s worth paying attention to this and adjusting the surface accordingly.
Electric Forklifts
They are powered by lithium-ion batteries, the development of this technology has made working time on one charge reach 10-12 hours. Used mainly in places where it’s impossible to use internal combustion forklifts, so due to no exhaust emissions, inside buildings. Undoubtedly, an advantage of this solution is quiet operation.
Off-Road Forklifts
They are characterized by slightly larger dimensions than traditional forklifts, but have much greater power and wide-tread tires, which means they are not afraid of working in wet or muddy terrain, can drive up steep slopes and effectively transport goods in conditions where a regular forklift would have problems.
Buying a Forklift – Summary
Forklifts are a broad concept, but thanks to this, everyone regardless of industry and requirements can buy the perfect model for themselves and additionally equip it well, because the selection of assortment and the range of operations is also rich. From transporters through lifts to snow plows, they can perform many tasks, so even owners of sole proprietorships can consider buying a forklift.
I’ll Buy a Forklift for Renovation
This is a cheaper way to acquire a forklift, but requires a lot of personal work and time for it to start working properly. When repairing a forklift, it’s important to use durable components, preferably directly from the manufacturer, this will ensure safe use and machine reliability.
Questions about forklifts?
Send inquiry directly to kontakt@flt-service.pl
