How to choose a forklift truck

Choosing the perfect forklift for the company is not always easy. Being aware of what you need, and why, is very important.

That is why we’ve designed a simple product filtering tool that will help you select forklifts that fit your distinct operational needs.

Just select a few answers in the fill-in fields for top level equipment in your case!

Nonetheless, here are seven criteria that will help to select the perfect forklift that will meet your operational needs:

Working place

Will the forklift work indoors, outdoors or both?

Outdoors

Restrictions in most countries mean that Diesel trucks can only be used outside.

Counterbalanced forklift trucks usually are recommended outdoors, often in a four-wheel configuration simply because this may well be more comfortable for the driver and thus increase productivity.

Indoors

If you are looking at indoor applications, electric or manual forklift trucks tend to be the best option.

Warehouse equipment for example reach trucks, pallet trucks and stackers are meant for indoor work, and aren’t usually suited to outdoor usage this can wheel type and limited ground clearance.

Mixed use

For the blend of inside and outside use, three and four-wheel electric counterbalanced trucks could be the most suitable choice.

Always keep how big is the functional area in your mind. Stand-on trucks tend to be more suitable for narrow working areas. In case you have more than enough room, consider an electrical or IC (car) truck.

Source of energy

The alternatives of forklift automobiles are manual, electric, Diesel or LPG.

Which is likely to be best depends on where your forklift trucks are utilized, the distances they have to travel, the concentration of use, the working environment along with the loads they are going to carry.

In short distances transporting low weights as well as occasional use, a handbook forklift are frequently best. For heavier work, indoors and out, an 80-volt electric or IC truck will be the answer.

Concentration of use

Will truck use be low, average or high?

The concentration of use will help to decide whether forklift trucks ought to be manual, electric or internal combustion (IC), and will also determine what level of performance you’ll need.

For low intensity use, manual and small pedestrian electric trucks are often suitable. In average use situations, light to medium electric trucks can do. For heavy use applications, the ideal option is an 80-volt electric or IC truck.

Operation

In operational terms, you’ve got a selection of manual, seated or stand-on forklift trucks.

Which of such you need is dependent upon the intensity of use, space to manoeuvre and drive distance.

If the forklift will likely be handling light weights and used occasionally, then this manual/pedestrian option will probably be fine.

For average drive distances and areas with only a little space, a stand-on truck would usually be best.

In case you are working with longer distances in locations which there is more space to manoeuvre, a three or four-wheel electric or IC truck would be the answer. The IC option is acceptable only where there is enough ventilation, or maybe if your truck is being used outdoors.

Think regarding how the truck operator should leave your vehicle. In the event the driver leaves your vehicle often, a stand-on truck may well be more practical and ergonomic. In the event the operator should exit an electric forklift truck 50 times each day, the entering and exiting will place a stress on ligaments, muscles and joints.

Driving distance

Knowing how far each forklift truck should travel on a daily basis is very important:

Abbreviated distances, look at a pedestrian pallet truck or stacker.

For medium distances, a stand-on truck or one which has a foldable platform that will do both might be best.

For long distances, you will need sit back mixers can cover ground faster and therefore are designed for this use.

Maximum lift height

It’s essential to be aware of heights in all areas that this forklifts is going to be operating, including any doorways, entrance areas or storage spaces where they must be used.

Additionally you have to consider the heights that you need trucks to arrive at to. This will decide if horizontal transport, a pedestrian or stand-on pallet truck is most beneficial. If lift heights are approximately 3 to 4 metres and the usage intensity is limited, a stacker could be fine.

For greater heights, a counterbalanced truck or reach truck would be best, with regards to the aisle widths available and whether it’s working indoors or out. For applications over six or seven metres, you need a reach truck.

Load weight

For no-lift, short distance operations where loads will almost always be below 1000kg, help pallet truck is likely to be recommended.

For lifting, longer distance or higher load bearing requirements, you need to look at motorised models. For heavier loads, a higher performance truck will probably be needed.

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