Forklifts are essential equipment for many industries, such as construction, warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics. They can lift, move, and stack heavy loads with ease and efficiency. However, not all forklifts are the same. There are different types of forklifts designed for different purposes and environments. Before you hire a forklift, you need to consider some important factors that will help you make the right decision. These include:
The load size: This is how heavy your usual load is and how much the forklift can support without risking its balance or efficiency. You should opt for a forklift that has sufficient capacity to handle your load securely. To move a load to a different floor or into storage, you’ll need a lift that can carry it up to that height. To avoid any hassles, make sure the fork lift you buy can easily access all of your storage levels and/or work platforms. The type of terrain: This is the surface condition where you will operate the forklift, such as smooth, rough, uneven, or sloped. You need to choose a forklift that can handle the terrain without losing traction or stability. For example, rough terrain forklifts have larger tires and higher ground clearance than warehouse forklifts.
The energy option: This is what powers the fork lift’s engine, such as electricity, diesel, gasoline, or propane. You need to consider the availability and cost of energy sources and their environmental impact. For example, electric forklifts are quieter and more eco-friendly than internal combustion engine (ICE) forklifts. The mast design: This is the vertical structure that holds the forks and enables them to move vertically. You need to choose a mast that can suit your work space and provide enough visibility for the driver. For example, a duplex mast has two sections that can extend lower than a triplex mast with three sections.
A frequent type of forklifts for hire is the Manitou Telehandler. This is a flexible machine that combines the features of a forklift, a crane, and a boom lift. It has a telescopic boom that can extend forward and upward, allowing it to reach high places and tight spaces. Some of the benefits of hiring a Manitou Telehandler are: It can do multiple tasks with different attachments, such as forks, buckets, winches, jibs, and baskets. You can easily swap between attachments with the quick coupler system.
It is designed for all-terrain performance with large tires, high ground clearance, and a powerful engine. It can operate on irregular, muddy, or sandy surfaces without any trouble. It has a spacious and comfortable cab that offers excellent visibility and ergonomics for the operator. It has a touch screen display that shows all the relevant information and settings of the machine. It also has a radio remote control that allows the operator to control the machine from outside the cab. Another type of forklift that is frequently used in warehouses is the warehouse forklift. This is a compact machine that has twin forks at the front to lift and move pallets of goods.