One of the first factors to consider is,
will the vehicle be used indoors or
outdoors? For outdoor use, it is
preferable to choose a model with
an internal combustion engine operating on
gasoline, liquid petroleum or diesel. If the
forklift must be operated mainly outside and
in a cold climate, the most logical choice is a
gasoline-powered forklift. This is all the more
true if it is necessary to frequently start and
stop the engine.
Diesel lift trucks on the other hand are
suitable for more difficult terrain and conditions.
But these lift trucks should be used
uninterruptedly, without frequently turning
off the engine. Too frequent starting and
stopping can spray excess gas in the
crankcase and contaminate the oil. For this
reason, it is recommended to regularly change
the oil of these vehicles.
Liquid petroleum-powered lift trucks are more suitable for operations taking place both indoors and outdoors, as their exhaust is less toxic than that of gas-powered engines. Fuel costs for liquid petroleum and diesel engines are comparable but maintenance costs for diesel tend to be lower.
Outdoor operating conditions not only dictate the appropriate type of engine but also the tires to be used. Pneumatic tires are used outdoors on more bumpy surfaces. |
Cushion tires (without air) are preferable on hard, smooth surfaces, as well as for the majority of indoor uses.
A WIDE VARIETY OF LIFT TRUCKS FOR INDOOR USE
For indoor use such as in warehouses, electric lift trucks are preferable because they are less noisy and non-polluting.
Although they are more expensive to acquire, electric lift trucks are less costly to operate because they don't require fuel or oil changes. Maintenance costs for electric lift trucks vary between 50 cents and 2 dollars per hour for a normal life cycle (about 1,700 hours per year).
There are a multitude of electric lift truck models. To choose the right one, first consider the application and the warehouse design. For example, if the forklift must be used to load and unload trailers, a counterbalanced model with front wheel drive and seated rider is preferable. Three-wheel models are more manoeuvrable whereas four-wheel models can handle larger loads.
If the forklift is used to move loads inside trailers, another factor to consider is the height to which the fork can be raised without raising the mast. If the mast must go up to raise the fork it could damage and even make a hole in the trailer ceiling.
The width of warehouse aisles is also a factor to consider. Generally, a three-wheel forklift will work in aisles 10 feet wide whereas those with four wheels require aisles 12 to 13 feet wide. |
For operations in more narrow aisles, reach trucks are preferable because they can operate in aisles about eight feet wide.
The capacity of your forklift is also important. It is generally recommended to buy a forklift with a greater capacity than that required. For example, if you need a forklift that can carry loads of 2,000 pounds, buy one that can lift up to 3,000 pounds.
If you acquire lift trucks to handle loads of fuel or hazardous materials, verify the security rating. The most secure rating for electric lifts is EX, which means that the model has no metal parts that can cause sparks. Diesel lift trucks are even safer in this respect. Diesel lift trucks with the DX rating, for example, are safer than EX.
BEYOND PRICE
Once all factors have been considered, the final choice should not be based only on price. It is also necessary to consider the availability of parts and the distance from service centres. It is sometimes preferable, in the long term, to pay a little more for the acquisition and save over the life of the equipment. You can get an idea of maintenance costs by studying the costs of the proposed preventive maintenance plan. |
