When it comes to the logistics and material handling industry, investing in high-powered machines like forklifts provides several benefits. Though it may cost you thousands of dollars, you can be guaranteed more convenient and safer warehouse management. Aside from that, it can also provide a large ROI for your business. However, the wrong forklift can become just another cost on your end. On the other hand, the best one can help you save money and increase productivity. So learn what you need to consider first before heading to a forklift dealer near you.
What to Look for When Buying a Forklift
The first thing that you need to know is the requirements of your material handling business. You need to carefully assess the things that are necessary to improve. For instance, it can be time-consuming if you let your workers lift heavy materials and equipment to shelves manually. On the other hand, it is a waste of space if you just stack up warehouse materials on the ground. Therefore, you need to find ways to save more time and money to enhance overall production. Lucky for you, several forklift providers can help you improve your warehouse management. But it doesn’t end there. You still need to know the perfect type of forklift for your warehouse requirements. Also, you need to decide whether you need a new forklift or a used one. If you think that you’ll only need to utilize a forklift for an hour or two, you can choose to buy or rent a used forklift. But if you think you’re going to run it for more than four hours a day, then it’s best to buy a new one.
You’ll need to assess brands available at your chosen forklift store. As your warehouse expands, your materials handling needs start to exceed a certain capacity. Also, your workers are no longer capable of keeping up with the work by hand. Sadly, your current reliance on traditional wheeled carts and lifters is not enough to keep up with your daily production. You need a sustainable forklift that are reliable, durable, and most notably, cost-effective. This would be a great help not just to your business growth but also for your employees’ sake. You’ll be able to bring convenience and protection from on-the-job accidents and injuries.
According to studies, one of the most common threats of running a warehouse is the possibility of accidents. That is why forklifts are built to avoid injuries or even casualties. You’ll definitely agree that safety has something to do with the success of every warehouse and construction business. So you better make sure you choose the brand which employs the best safety and quality features.
Common Types of Forklifts
When deciding to buy a forklift, it is essential to determine what kind of environment it will be in and the type of lifting you need. Then you can already determine which one is appropriate to your workplace condition. In most situations, this will dictate which type of forklift is the best for you.
Pneumatic Tire Forklifts
If you’re looking for a forklift that provides a strong grip on uneven surfaces and rough terrains, a pneumatic tire forklift is the one for you. It is specifically designed for field works such as construction sites. This type of forklift consists of sturdy and thick pneumatic tires suitable for rugged ground. The special tires are oversized and threaded, giving them better balance and stability to safely transport materials.
Cushion Tire Forklifts
Unlike pneumatic tires, cushion tire forklifts are made for light indoor usage. They provide great traction on smooth indoor surfaces for easier and more manageable warehouse handling. Also, they are suitable for tight areas because they have a smaller turning radius. You can easily maneuver these trucks comfortably sitting lower to the ground than with the pneumatic tire lift truck. So if most of you’re running a warehouse or indoor facility, this type of forklift suits you.
Electric Forklifts
As the name implies, electric forklifts are powered by electricity and boast several advantages. Having a noise-free warehouse environment makes it easier for operators, co-workers, and even pedestrians to hear forklift horns and other important workplace sounds. Also, a working place free from harmful emissions can make your workers more productive than ever.
Counterbalanced Stackers
Counterbalanced stackers are known for their versatility when it comes to lifting heavy materials. It is similar to a traditional forklift used for outdoor applications. It has no base legs and can fit into tight and narrow spaces. Aside from that, it is extremely durable and budget-friendly, which helps increase warehouse production.
Narrow Aisle Reach Forklifts
If you have a small warehouse, then you probably need to maximize space by providing high racks where you can store and pile materials. However, these shelves may result in narrow areas where you need to choose a smaller yet efficient forklift to do order picking. For this reason, narrow aisle reach forklifts are made to provide convenience to narrow space operations. So if you’re a small warehouse owner, this type of forklift is the best for you.
When you’re looking for the best types of forklifts to improve your warehouse productivity, look no further than Forklift Select. Finding the perfect lifting and order-picking companion is quite challenging. But with the help of our team of material handling experts, you’ll know you’re in the right hands. Do not hesitate to visit our website at https://www.forkliftselect.com/ to learn more!