The job of purchasing for any business can be taxing – but purchasing material handling equipment has its own level of stress. If you’re faced with finding the best forklift for your inventory or business, then The Forklift Pro has some tips to make it simple!
Understanding usage
How many forklifts will be needed? How often will those forklifts be used – and for how long? When purchasing forklifts, usage is categorized in three ways: low, medium, and high. Low usage is for a small company with one or two employees that will use a forklift for only three to four hours per week. Medium usage would be for companies that use a forklift three to five hours each day. Finally, companies that used a forklift for seven or more hours a day are considered high usage.
Determining the type of forklift
Before making any purchases, consider your needs. There are several different types of forklifts and other material handling equipment. For example, a business might be in need of Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) lifts for their warehouse rather than a traditional forklift. For construction or agriculture, rough terrain forklifts are best for outdoor use. Businesses could also be in need of a pallet jack for transporting loads. When choosing the best forklift, think about all of the needs a business will require.
Gas or electric
Will it be more beneficial to purchase gas-powered or electric forklifts? Once again, this is best determined by a business’ needs. According to Toyota Material Handling, electric forklifts tend to have a long lifespan and require less maintenance than a gas-powered forklift. On the other hand, gas forklifts have a lower upfront cost and less risk of productivity decreasing due to a dead battery.
Buying new vs. used
It’s time to take your budget into consideration. Once you’ve calculated the needs of a company, determine whether or not it’s more economical to buy new or used forklifts. New forklifts have less wear and tear associated but come with a heftier price tag. Used forklifts have a lot of hours on it, but are carefully inspected and repaired before being paired with a marked-down price.
Want to stay up to date with the used forklift and material handling equipment we have available in our inventory? Sign up for our Daily Inventory Alerts and you’ll be the first to know when new equipment arrives to our warehouse. Contact our sales pros today to find the best model at the best price.