At 123forklift, we received a lot of phone calls from professionals who are unsure about the forklift they should buy. The industry is full of different makes and models that can provide you with a wide range of functionalities. In this blog, we will explore the most important criteria that should be taken into account when purchasing or renting a forklift.
One of the most important characteristics of a forklift is its type of power, each one of them comes with pros and cons. Let’s take a look:
- LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas): They are probably the most common type forklift out there. They are easy to recognize because of the large LPG tank sitting on the back of the vehicle.
- LPG powered forklifts offer quite a few advantages:
- They can carry heavy loads.
- Refueling is very quick, compared to electric forklifts for example.
- They are low maintenance and offer a longer lifespan
- However, they require an area in your facility dedicated to fuel storage. In addition, they have a pretty high level of emission and they can be quite loud when operated.
- LPG powered forklifts offer quite a few advantages:
- Electric: They are ideal for smaller warehouses and facilities:
- They are smaller and can be used in completely closed environment
- Their electric engine is quiet
- On the other hand, electric forklifts require charging at the end of each working day. It may be an issue when workers are on deck 24/7. Also, their lifting capacity is limited due to the nature of their engine. Finally, they generally run on cushion tires which make them only operational indoors.
- Diesel: Very powerful. Suited for outdoors usage:
- They are reliable with a low upkeep cost
- They are easy to refuel
- However, diesel engines are not the best option when it comes to environmental impact. In addition, they must be used outside and they require some room in your facility for fuel storage.
The second criteria you should be looking at is load capacity. There is no need to buy a large and powerful forklift that will be used to lift lighter weights. On the other hand, buying a forklift that is unable to lift your pallets can be a critical issue (and money thrown out of the window). One of the best way to figure it out is thinking about your current forklift. Can it do the job properly? Is it struggling with heavier weights? Do you have a smaller facility with narrow aisles that would be a better fit for an electric forklift? Answering these questions will help you figure out your needs.
The third criteria is probably one of the easiest. Get to know the lift height that really matches your needs. Purchasing an oversized or undersized used forklift can be a waste of time and money. Follow the same process than the load capacity one. Look at your current equipment and compare it to your current or new job’s requirements.
We know that going through the process of purchasing a new or used forklifts for sale San Antonio can be a bit overwhelming. Do not hesitate to chat with us on our site: 123 forklift.com or give us a call at 877-326-2047 and we will help you to the best of our ability.
