Did you know that on average a quarter-million forklifts are sold each year in America alone? And the market for forklift sales has steadily increased by three percent year on year?
A forklift is a must-need piece of equipment to own for many businesses but not all forklifts are the same. You need to know a few things before you buy forklifts. Read on below to find out more!
How Wide Are Your Shelves?
Most forklifts need quite a bit of space to maneuver inside a warehouse even though a forklift has a great turning circle. Sometimes, shelves are packed too close together and a forklift cant navigate efficiently.
Your shelves should be at least two meters apart for a standard forklift or you can buy a forklift that is smaller or depending on the layout of your warehouse maybe it can merely reverse in and out.
Gas, Electric, Or Petrol Driven When You Buy Forklifts?
Forklifts come in four variations, mainly, gas, electric, petrol, and diesel-driven motors. Where the forklift will be operating, how long it will be operating for, and the cost of each resource needs to be taken into account when selecting a suitable machine.
A petrol or diesel forklift is better suited to operate outside because the exhaust gases can be harmful while running the whole day inside a warehouse.
An electric forklift is perfect for inside use but only if it doesn’t need to be operated continuously for the whole day because it will run out of charge and be a hassle to stop operations and recharge the battery.
A gas forklift is probably the most viable option when it comes to inside use because it’s safe to use inside and can work the whole day without stopping for any reason.
New Or Used Forklift?
Buying a forklift is an investment and can provide a high return on investment for the money you spend on it. You can however save some money, buy a good used forklift, and make it part of your used inventory. If you choose to go this route, look out for service history, overall condition of the forklift, and amount of tire tread left.
Buying a new forklift is the better option and you will have peace of mind and the warranty that comes from the manufacturer. When selecting a new forklift go for main brands with a proven history in forklift building and a good track record. Most forklifts are built tough to last so you shouldn’t have many mechanical problems.
Take Your Business To The Next Level
Taking your business to the next level will involve you deciding to buy forklifts and having a good understanding of what your business needs and what is best for it, which will make the selection process easy.
With so many brands and variations on the market, you don’t have to buy the first one you see. Are you looking to further improve your business? Need the best advice possible? Head on over to our business page and see for yourself!