How to Choose the Right Type of Forklift
时间：2021-06-05 16:14 点击次数：
How to Choose the Right Type of Forklift
1. Lift Height
How high do you need to lift your loads? If you need to load/unload from trailers, pay attention to the lowered mast height of the forklift.
2. Capacity
What is the maximum weight you need to lift? It's important to buy a forklift that can handle more than your heaviest load.
Keep in mind that attachments will reduce your forklift’s capacity.
3. Load Type
Forklift capacities are based on a standard pallet with a 24″ load center.
If you don’t use pallets, or if the load is long, wide, or oblong (such as pipe, trusses, etc.) that affects capacity.
Working with a material handling expert can help you identify what capacity works best for your operation.
4. How wide are your aisles and doorways?
Three-wheel and stand-up rider forklifts are designed to work in narrow aisles (less than 10 ft, or 10-12 feet).
In some cases, a narrow aisle order picker or reach truck may also be your best solution.
Before buying a lift truck, measure the narrowest space where your equipment will traverse. Standard forklifts are designed to work in areas 12 feet or wider.
5. Indoor? Outdoor? Both?
The environment where your forklift will operate helps determine the type of fuel you choose and also the type of tire that will work best in your application.
6. Concrete or Rough Terrain?
Your forklift will use either cushion or pneumatic tires. Cushion tires are designed for concrete areas (indoor warehouses and loading docks).
Pneumatic tires are best for indoor/outdoor or 100% outdoor use including asphalt, dirt or gravel.
7. Fuel – Electric or Internal Combustion (IC)?
IC forklifts use traditional engines that run on different types of fuel (CNG, diesel, gas, or liquid propane).
Electric forklifts are powered by batteries. If you handle food, you'll likely need an electric forklift to adhere to emission requirements.
However, many applications that once used IC forklifts are finding that electric conversion saves both time and money.
8. Usage
How many hours per day and how many days per week will you use the forklift?
A used forklift can be an economical option for operations that only need a lift truck a few hours per day.
Busy multi-shift operations can save money by partnering with a material handling expert
who can complete an analysis of their application to determine best fuel and equipment solutions.
