There is more to consider than you might think when choosing the right forklift truck for your operation. 

From lifting requirements to machine height, there are a lot of aspects that might mean a machine is more suitable for your operation than another. 

Getting The Right Capacity

Ensuring that your machine has the right capacity is crucial. If you choose a machine that isn’t able to lift the load that you need it to then what is the point? The capacity isn’t just a value of what can be lifted at floor level but it should also be taken into consideration if you are having to lift loads into racking. This is because the higher you are lifting a load, then the lower the capacity of the machine becomes. 

Before you invest in a new machine, ensure you have an idea of the types of loads and weights that you are intending to lift. This will make sure that you are looking for a machine that will do what you need it to. 

How High Do You Want To Go?

In a similar vein of thought as needing the right capacity, height impacts your choice of machines a lot more than you would initially think. This is because height affects two things; the closed height of the machine and the lifting height. 

The closed height of a machine is important, especially if you are regularly operating in restricted areas where the ceilings are low or are loading and unloading containers.

Likewise, if you are fulfilling orders in racking, the lifting height becomes more important because you will need to ensure that the machine you choose is able to reach where you need it to. 

Forklift Attachments

The attachment options for forklifts are vast. For almost every industry there is an attachment to make your job easier and increase your productivity. These include carton clamps, fork rotators, side shift and marble clamps as well as much more depending on your requirements. 

Some attachments are even designed to be changed quickly so that if you need more than one attachment you are not losing crucial operating time. 

Fuel

Just like when you are choosing a car, there are various different fuel options that you can choose from depending on your requirements. The types of fuel that you choose not only affect the price of the machine, but also the additional requirements that you need to put into place. 

For example whilst electric forklifts (both lithium-ion and lead-acid variants) are more expensive than their diesel and gas counterparts, there are fewer fuel storage requirements and servicing demands which in the long term reduces the cost to closer to parity with the internal combustion engine machines. 

There are also changing regulations that might come into consideration, for example, the removal of the red diesel levy means that diesel is more expensive and might make the higher initial outlay for an electric machine more appealing over a much shorter period of time.

Tyres

Cushion, air pneumatic, non-marking, solid and more. There is a range of tyres to suit every application and machine. For example, if you’re exclusively working indoors, then a smooth cushion tyre will suffice, you might even opt for a non-marking version.

Maintenance, Service and Warranty

If you are buying a new machine then you will likely also get a warranty as part of the deal. You might also want to look at investing in a service and maintenance package, especially if you are reliant on your machine for your business.