Forklift

Purchasing

Guide

Finding the right forklift for your business requires specialized insight if you hope to find the most productive, cost-effective machine.

This guide will review the following:

Trends

New versus Used

Types

Specs

Tires

Attachments

Questions to Ask a Dealer

For a more in-depth review of the following topics, please see our full length Purchasing Guide: http://www.purchasing.com/construction-equipment/forklifts/purchasing-guide/

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Trends

HHydrogen

1Among the major trends in forklift technology is the inclusion of fuel cells as a power source. Slowly phasing out diesel and battery-powered options, fuel cells are billed as being able to deliver higher levels of productivity, lower cost of ownership, and reduced emissions.

Major benefits:

Repairable and Recyclable

•Easily replace older power supplies as well as replace/repair existing fuel stacks

Scalable

•Because not all lifting tasks are equal, fuel cells are designed to scale (up and down) to decrease hydrogen use

Long Lasting

•At 5-10 years, industrial grade fuel cells have twice the battery life of standard batteries

1

2

3

Forklift Purchasing Guide

When buying used, keep the following criteria in mind:

• Not the most critical consideration, but often the first. Look for year manufactured on or near the mast. May also be reflected in series name (common with Toyotas)

Age

• Be sure to consider both ‘key hours’ and ‘dead man hours’ (effectively engine running time vs actual usage). Tip: For a 5 year old machine, look fewer than 6,000 hours

Service Hours

• Research what the forklift was used for (basic warehousing vs heavy construction). Also keep in mind airborne contaminates, temperatures, air quality (used close to salt water?), and outside use in general

History

• Consult a qualified forklift mechanic to inspect mast operation, tire wear, and engine. Look for blue smoke, time it takes to warm up, leaks, and excessive wear

Condition

New vs. Used

Forklift Purchasing Guide

There are numerous forklift types designed for all manner of lifting jobs. Let’s review the four main types:

1) Order Pickers

Used almost exclusively indoors; most common in warehouses

Available in all-electric or electronic-lift only

Operators can reach stocked items up to 11 feet high

Capacities range from 400-700 lbs

Expect to pay $3,000 to $10,000

2) Pallet Jacks

Also commonly known as pump trucks or hand trucks

Very minimal training required

Available in both electric and manual

Can lift between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs.

Expect to pay $250 to $700 for manual; $2,800 to $11,000 for electricPallet Jack

Order Picker

Types

Forklift Purchasing Guide

3) Reach Trucks

Designed for warehouse applications, reach trucks can pull items

from pallet racking by “reaching” in with extendable forks

Provides higher lifting capacity than an order picker

Can lift between 2,500-5,500 lbs. at up to 30 feet

Usually seen indoors due to weight limitations and low clearance

Expect to pay $19,000 to $30,000 new or $1,500 to $8,000 used

4) Sit Down Counterbalance Trucks

Most common forklift with highest height and weight capacities

Counterbalance offsets load in front, allowing a lifting capacity of

3,000 to 80,000 lbs.

Most models lift 10-15 feet high; but some can reach 36 feet high

Liquid propane or compressed natural gas powered

Expect to pay $20,000 to $100,000 new (depending on type and

capacity); $7,000 to $40,000 used

Sit Down Counterbalance Truck

Reach Truck

Types

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Specs

When comparing forklifts, the most important consideration is power source. Let’s review the pros and cons of the primary options:

Internal Combustion

• Gasoline, diesel, LPG, or CNG

• Far greater lifting capacities

– 120,000 lbs. up to 36 feet

• Low upfront costs

• High maintenance/fuel costs

Electric

• Lead-acid batteries provide

5-6 hours of continuous use

• Zero emissions

• Higher upfront costs – 20%-

40% more than IC

• Lower total cost of

ownershipHybrid

• Similar lifting capacities as IC

forklifts – switching between

modes when additional

power is needed

• Significant cost savings

through lower fuel

consumption

• Lower maintenance costs

when compared with IC

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Pneumatic Tires

Either solid or filled with air

Heavy lifting and outdoor

operation

More expensive than other tire

types

Cushion Tires

Solid rubber

Small turn radius

Very low clearance

Polyurethane Tires

Easy to install

Indoor use only

Meant for electric lifts on

smooth surfaces

Tires

Different tires work best for different jobs. Findout which tires work for you lifting job:

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Forklift Attachment Description Estimated Cost

Boom / Telescopic Boom Use in place of a crane; extended range between 12-15 feet; cost dependent on lift capacity (up to 6,000 lbs)

$600-$2,400

Fork Extension Carry more in a single load; lengths available between 48-96 inches $350-$980

Hook Plate Maximize safety when lifting heavy loads; prevent loads from slipping off forks; capacity 4,000-6,000 lbs.

$200-$600

Lifting Beam Provides higher degree of safety when lifting loads with chains, cables, or ropes; available with swivel connections; 4,000-30,000 lbs. capacities

$400-$3,000

Drum Snatcher Safely transport 30-55 gallon drums without pallets; 800-1,500 lbs. capacity $500-$1,500

Side-Shifter Adjust loads left and right with the push of a button; great for tight spaces; capacities range from 5,500 to 10,000 lbs.

$500-$800

Rotator Easily rotate refuse bins or crates that need to be inverted or upended for emptying; hydraulics enable 360° motion; capacities from 3,000-40,000 lbs.

$800-$15,000

Fork Positioner Operator can better position forks for different pallet sizes and openings; reduce damage to pallets; capacities from 5,500-15,000 lbs.

$1,000-$3,000

Roll and Barrel Clamp Transport large rolls of newsprint, printing stocks, and other cylindrical items common in mills and warehouses

$1,000-$15,000

Pole Attachments Transport carpet or textiles; 2.75-5 inch diameters $400-$675

Man Basket Lift individual’s to lift’s max height; support 600-1,000 lbs.; upgrades include safety harnesses, tool trays, and fluorescent tube bulb caddies

$1,000-$1,600

Attachments

Forklift Purchasing Guide

Buying a forklift is a two-prong purchase decision: choosing the lift itself and choosing a forklift dealer. Believe it or not, the latter decision is equally important (if not more so) than picking out the actual machine.

Here are 9 critical questions to help you find the best forklift dealer:

1. How long have you been in business?2. What level of inventory do you keep on-site for parts replacement? And how fast is your

average turnaround for parts that have to be delivered?3. How many certified forklift mechanics do you have?4. How many machines have you sold in the last year? How many similar to the one I’m

interested in?5. Do you provide on-site service?6. What are your service hours?7. Do you have guaranteed response times?8. What brand or brands do you specialize in? Why did you select this particular brand? 9. What kind of insurance do you carry? (Note: If they don’t have worker’s comp and one of

their mechanics gets hurt while repairing a forklift at your facility, the claim could fall under your insurance.)

Questions to Ask a Dealer

Thank You

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Remember, for a more in-depth review of the topics mentioned here, please see our full-length Purchasing Guide:

http://www.purchasing.com/construction-equipment/forklifts/purchasing-guide/

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