Forklift Buying Guide - Questions to Answer Before You Buy
Looking to purchase a forklift but not sure what to buy? Here are some great questions to ask yourself in order to help you make your decision. Click on each question to discover the answer.
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Answer the following questions to discover what type of forklift is best for you
Forklift Buying Guide
1. Should you buy new or used?
There are pros and cons to purchasing new or used forklifts depending on your particular situation. Here are some factors to consider when you trying to decide which would be better for you.
Budget:
Buying a used forklift can be a very wise move if you are on a tighter budget as long as you do your homework and make sure you are getting a quality vehicle.
If you can afford it, a new forklift will come with a longer warranty and you can be sure that it will be in better condition than a used one.
In addition, some new forklifts, like Hangcha's, are priced so incredibly low that you might find that buying a new forklift is a better option than purchasing a used one.
Whether you buy new or used will depend on your budget
Depreciation:
A brand new forklift will depreciate in value the moment you start using it, similar to a car, so buying used often makes more sense.
Timing:
You can usually get a used forklift much faster than ordering a new one. This will allow you to start using your equipment right away. However, some forklift dealers will have new models in stock that you can also get right away.
Buying new usually means you can get the exact model that you need
Selection:
When purchasing a new forklift, you can order exactly what you need. If you choose to purchase a used model, you may have to settle for something that isn't exactly what you need simply because there isn't a pre-owned one for sale when you are looking to buy.
2. What fuel type should you choose? Electric, propane or diesel
Where you need to use your forklift will also determine the type you should purchase. Do you want to use your forklift indoors, outdoors, or both?
Electric forklifts:
Electric forklifts are your best choice for indoor applications or if you need to use your forklift around food as they give off zero emissions.
Some electric forklifts do not function well outdoors as they are susceptible to extreme temperature changes and wet conditions. However, some electric forklifts are now designed to be able to handle working in outside conditions.
Propane forklifts:
Propane is also an option for indoors, however, you need to make sure that you have proper ventilation at your facility.
Propane is a good choice if you need your forklift to operate inside and outside making them great for warehouses and material handling industries.
Diesel forklifts:
Diesel forklifts are not a good option for indoor applications due to their harmful emissions.
They may be a good choice if you need a powerful option to work outside in construction or at a rail or shipping yard.
3. What capacity do you need?
Knowing the capacity that you need will also help you determine the best forklift for you. To determine the capacity you should get, you will need to know what size of loads you typically need to move and how high you need to lift those loads.
Purchase a forklift that has the capacity to lift the loads you need it to
It is important to purchase a forklift that has the capacity to lift the loads that you need it to. Purchasing one that has a lower capacity than you need can be dangerous to your operators and to your equipment as it could become unstable and tip over.
Lifting more than the maximum capacity could also cause damage to your forklift causing it to wear out faster or causing your forks to break..
4. Should you choose lithium or lead-acid?
Lithium-ion electric forklifts have many advantages over lead-acid ones including:
Faster Charging Speeds:
Lithium-ion batteries charge much faster. For example, Hangcha's lithium-ion forklifts take 2 hours to fully charge compared to charging a lead-acid battery truck for 8-10 hours and allowing it to cool down for another 8-10 hours.
Lithium batteries are virtually maintenance free
Less Maintenance:
You do not need to do the manual maintenance for a lithium battery like lead-acid battery packs require. For example, lithium-ion batteries do not need to be watered or have acid level checks performed. They are virtually maintenance-free.
Can Be Used in Cold:
Some lithium-ion batteries, such as those available from Hangcha can run in cold applications because they are designed with an electrical heating element. When compared to a lead-acid powered truck, the batteries in the lithium-ion heat up to 32 degrees F in one-third of the time it would take the lead-acid powered truck.
Lithium forklifts are much more environmentally friendly than lead-acid
Environmentally Friendlier:
Lithium-ion batteries do not release harmful emissions into the environment or use acid and they have twice the service life when compared to lead-acid powered forklifts. They are also substantially more efficient when charging and discharging and are completely recyclable.
5. What size of forklift should you buy?
Make sure that the forklift you purchase can easily maneuver in the space that you have. You need to take a look at the following:
How much space do you have to maneuver around?
How wide are your narrowest aisles?
Will you be loading and unloading trailers?
If your space is tight, then choose a model designed for narrow aisles.
The following types of forklifts are great for smaller spaces:
6. Should you choose cushion or pneumatic tires?
The main difference between pneumatic and cushion tires is the tread. Cushion tires are smooth, while pneumatic tires have a deep tread. Cushion tires are a better option for indoor applications and pneumatic work better on outside, uneven, or rough surfaces.
Pneumatic Tires:
Pneumatic forklift tires are very similar to car tires. They have a very thick tread that will give you great traction over uneven or loose surfaces.
There are essentially two types of pneumatic tires: solid pneumatic tires and air-filled pneumatic tires.
Pneumatic tires are great for outdoor applications
Air-filled Pneumatic Tires:
An air-filled pneumatic tire has an airtight inner core filled with pressurized air and covered by a tread that is usually reinforced with steel belting or other materials.
Solid Pneumatic Tires:
Solid pneumatic tires, on the other hand, are made of solid rubber or sometimes filled with foam instead of air. This makes them more puncture-proof and durable than air filled tires, but they don't give you as smooth of a ride.
Cushion tires are smooth and solid
Cushion Tires:
Cushion tires are made of solid rubber and are usually much smaller than pneumatic tires.
Cushion tires give you a lower centre of gravity and smaller turning radius, so they are better for inside applications where space is limited, whereas pneumatic tires are better for outdoors.
You can, however, use pneumatic tires inside, especially if you want extra comfort for your operators.
7. Should you rent or buy your forklift?
If you need to use your forklift every day then purchasing a new or used forklift is your best choice.
If you only need your forklift for shorter busy seasons, then renting may be a better option.
Why Choose Wayco
Choosing the right forklift can be challenging. That's why we are here to help you. Contact us today and we will do our best to help you find the perfect forklift for your particular situation.
Remember that at Wayco we have:
The best-priced forklifts in the industry.
Forklifts with the best warranty in the business.
The widest range of brands in the market
We also offer financing on both our new and used forklifts.
“We purchased a used fork lift from Wayco in January. It was extremely clean and in excellent condition when it was delivered. We have also had incredible ongoing service from the professionals at Wayco. Overall dealing with them has been an excellent experience.”
