Forklifts 101 : Tips On How To Buy, Lease Or Rent Your Very First New Or Used Forklift

Forklifts are a necessary evil when it comes to running many different types of small, medium or large scale businesses.

Every dollar spent to acquire or maintain a forklift is one less dollar of profit earned.

The less forklifts you have, the healthier your business will be.

Acquiring the right type of forklift configured in just the right way with all the right options can be a game changer, especially if it’s your very first forklift or possibly your only forklift.

Below are a few fork-in-the-road choices you should be aware of before acquiring any new or used forklift.

If some of the information to follow is unfamiliar to you, I would highly recommend you solicit professional help from an experienced and independent forklift consulting service such as Fleetman Consulting Inc.

Please also keep in mind that this article is covering the main topics or highlights only because covering every possible detail isn’t practical in this format.

Major Forklift Acquisition Criteria

1. Lifting Capacity : There is a different between gross chassis capacity ( a forklift’s maximum lifting capacity in the most ideal conditions, not necessarily at full lifting height ) and net lifting capacity ( it’s actual lifting capacity based on how the forklift is configured at full lifting height ). Seldom are these numbers the same. The most important will always be net lifting capacity and it is this rating that you should look for on the forklift’s capacity data plate. It is often found on the dashboard or seat deck of the forklift.
2. Load Center : All lifting capacity ratings are based on a specific load center ( the horizontal and vertical center of gravity of the load ). If the loads you intend to handle will have a different load center than how the forklift capacity was calculated, you will need to ask the forklift dealer to recalculate the capacity based on your load center criteria. Most forklifts have a capacity rating based on a 24” load center but some are rated based on a 48” load center and so on. The best thing you can do when interacting with a forklift professional is to know the load sizes you will need to handle, their respective weights and whether these loads are evenly balanced across the applicable load dimensions. Last but not least, you will also need to know how high you need to lift each of these different size / different weight loads as well. I would highly recommend you put this data into a chart prior to connecting with an experienced forklift professional.
3. Fuel Types : The choices are typically gasoline, liquid propane ( LPG ), diesel and electric ( 24/36/48/80 volt ) but compressed natural gas ( CNG ) could also be an option. If you plan to work indoors, electric, LPG and CNG will be your only choices for emissions reasons. There are benefits and drawbacks of each particular fuel type so the more a forklift professional knows about your application ( a site visit is highly recommended ), the better the choice will be.
4. Lifting Type / Mast Types : There are (4) common mast styles ( 2 stage, 2 stage with full free lift, 3 stage with full free lift and 4 stage with full free lift ) and each one has their own benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the right one is critical when it comes to making sure the forklift will be able to work in as many areas of your facility as possible.
5. Fork Size & Types : Virtually every fork blade has a usable length, width and thickness and choosing this combination of dimensions depends on what you are handling and how you are handling it. You can also choose the type of fork blade taper ( the most common are standard pallet taper and full bottom taper with top polish, otherwise known as lumber taper ). Some forks hook onto the forklift ( common on smaller forklifts ) and some are mounted using a steel shaft ( common on larger forklifts ). Choosing the right fork specifications will often reduce product damage and it will make handling your products more safe and efficient.
6. Tire Types : Forklift tire terminology can be a bit confusing. Basically, if your forklift will be working outside, you will want to select an outdoor style tire commonly referred to as “pneumatic tires” which are air filled, and they look more like a truck tire. However, you can also request “solid pneumatic” tires which have no air inside and this eliminates the chance of having a flat tire. If you will be using the forklift indoors, the best tire style will be “cushion tires”. They look more like a go-cart tires but with a larger diameter. Cushion tires are also without air just like solid pneumatic tires. A pneumatic tire forklift has a different chassis design which results in a larger chassis than the cushion tire forklift. Some forklift types offer a dual drive tire option for better lateral stability. Sometimes if our clients are going to use only one forklift in their operation, the choice between cushion and pneumatic can be a difficult choice, especially if they need to operate both inside and outside their facility. There are benefits and drawbacks with each choice which can be better explained in person by a forklift professional.
7. Attachment Types : Forklifts can be equipped with a variety of attachments to make forklift work more productive, safe and to increase the utility of the forklift. This topic is endless because the choices are endless. If you can dream it, there is likely a forklift attachment that already exists. The most common forklift attachment is a side shift but you could also add a fork positioner, 360 degree rotator, paper roll clamp, carton clamp, bale clamp, forklift snow plow, forklift sweeper, forklift dust mop and so on.
8. Safety Accessories : Every geographical area and every application has different requirements for safety accessories so it is important to be aware of what is required based on your circumstances. However, common safety accessories would include headlights, tail lights, brake lights, back-up lights, back-up alarm, strobe lights, turn signals, weigh scales, pre-shift inspection books and pedestrian lights. For those users handling flammable substances, the forklift can be manufactured to “EE” which is “spark arresting” or “EX” which is “explosion proof” standards.
9. Operator Comfort Accessories : Just like with forklift attachments, operator comfort accessories are endless. Some common examples include full enclosed operator cabs with heaters, partial cabs ( otherwise known as half cabs ), lexan rainroofs, suspension seats or air ride seats, armrests with fingertip joystick controls, combination accelerator / directional pedal, hydraulic accumulators, swing-out propane cylinder brackets, air conditioning, am / fm radios, 2 way radios and so on.
10. Buying, Leasing Or Renting Forklifts : Please keep in mind that renting doesn’t necessarily mean renting by the day, week or month. You can also rent long term, ie for 2,3,4,5 or more years with maintenance included. Whether you buy, lease or rent depends on a variety of factors. If cash flow is tight, you might want to lease or rent. If you aren’t sure if you know exactly what you need, you might want to rent short term. If your business has excess cash in your business with few alternatives to invest this cash and if interest rates are low, you might want to buy and pay cash. A independent forklift professional can help you make all the right choices.
11. Forklift Maintenance Packages : Whether you buy, lease or rent long term, at some point you should be prepared to set-up a forklift maintenance program so that the forklift is properly maintained to O.E.M. ( original equipment manufacturer ) standards. You can pay-as-you-go like you probably do with your car or you can inquire about all-inclusive maintenance packages that typically cover everything except operator damage, fuel and tires. I would highly recommend that you entertain the cost of an all-inclusive maintenance package, especially in a world that has become so unpredictable. Locking in with an all-inclusive maintenance package helps you lock in parts pricing, labour rates, USA / Canadian exchange rates, tariffs, customs clearance charges, freight and courier charges, shop supplies and so on.

The ultimate goal for anyone responsible for forklift fleet management and forklift procurement is to have every forklift be configured as much the same as possible, in such a way that it can perform as many tasks as possible. The result will be that every forklift will be able to fill-in as a back-up to another forklift that is working in a different work area of the facility.

With this vision in mind, your company will be more likely to achieve the following forklift fleet management goals,

The Benefits of Properly Configuring A Forklift Fleet & The Benefits of Standardizing Forklift Specifications

1. It will be less likely that your company will need to acquire more forklifts ( rental or otherwise ) during busy times or as your company grows.
2. Workflow will be more productive because all forklifts will be able to do most, if not all things.
3. Forklift operator training can be better streamlined around fewer different types of forklifts.
4. Forklift operators will be more productive and safe because they won’t have to adapt to different types of forklifts with different specifications.
5. Forklift procurement will be easier and negotiations will be more lucrative because you will be acquiring a larger quantity of forklifts that all have the same basic specifications

Consider the independent forklift consulting services of Fleetman Consulting Inc. to help you make all the right choices and to learn more about various ways to make your company more safe and forklift efficient.

You can reach Scott McLeod, President of Fleetman Consulting Inc. by calling (604)614-3530 cell or via email, help@fleetmanconsulting.com.