Science has made a massive improvement over the past decade or so. It has invented such amazing devices and vehicles that have made doing business much easier. One such invention is a forklift. It is a small but powerful industrial vehicle that is mostly used for lifting or moving small materials over short distances. They are usually powered by combustion engines or a battery. There are various types of forklifts, some allowing the driver to sit while others require the driver to stand while operating the machine.

Over the past, some years, the trend of using forklifts for business purposes has greatly increased which shows its importance. Forklifts have become an essential part of the manufacturing industry and warehousing. Various industries, distribution centers, and large storage facilities around the world use these machines which serve their needs.

For a forklift to work efficiently and effectively, it must have proper rear-wheel steering. This feature of a forklift is very useful and provides flexibility in tight spaces and quarters. As there is no caster action while steering, it is a waste of time and energy to apply the steering force to maintain a steady rate of turn. So these features must be kept in mind while designing a forklift.

Key Components of a Forklift

A forklift has various key components necessary for its normal functioning. But the most important are discussed below:

1. Truck Frame

It forms the base of the forklift and is important for the machine. Other parts of the forklift are also attached to it such as counterweight, wheels, and mast.

2. Power Source

An internal combustion engine is usually used as a power source. The fuel for this engine includes LPG, diesel, or CNG. The power source for Electric forklift is Lead Acid battery or a fuel cell.

3. Counterweight

It is an iron mass attached to the rear part of the machine. The purpose of counterweight is to counterbalance the load that has to be lifted. It is attached to the Lead-Acid battery in an electric forklift.

4. Carriage

It is another vital part of a forklift, fixed on the mast rails. As a result, it can be moved upward or downward with ease.

Types of Forklifts

Various forklifts are available in the market these days, but here we will mention some of the most common and important.

1. Rough Terrain Forklift

A rough terrain forklift is mostly used for outdoor construction and with difficult landscapes. It has a powerful engine that enables it to achieve high speeds. It has broad tires with thick threads which helps in gaining stability on difficult terrain. These forklifts are ideal for lifting heavy loads. Some of these can lift up to 3 tones of a load.

2. Pallet Jack Forklift

These forklifts are specialized for lifting small loads and are also called pump trucks. They are not able to lift large loads due to their small size and contain a small footprint that allows it to lift loads in tight quarters and corners. These are mostly used in warehouses and storage facilities. These machines are available in various styles some of which are capable of lifting 5000lbs weight. Due to their size, they are much lower in cost.

3. The Reach Forklift

Reach forklifts are most commonly used for indoor work. Due to their under-carriage clearance, they cannot be used for outdoor work. It consists of an open compartment that helps in increasing the operator’s visibility. One of its features is that it can extend its forks to reach into the warehouse racks. This is an important feature that is not found in other forklifts.

4. Order Picker Forklifts

It is an ideal forklift for lifting and moving materials from storage. These machines are specially designed to carry individual units and lift operators to the warehouse racks.

The load capacity of Forklifts

The maximum weight a forklift can lift easily is called its load capacity. Generally, the load capacity of forklifts ranges from 3000lbs up to 70,000lbs. The load capacity of a forklift is found on its date plate. Till now, Kalmar forklift has the highest load capacity and it is a Guinness World Record. It can lift up to 90,000lbs of weight! The load capacity of various forklifts is given below:

1. Order Picker: Its maximum load capacity is about 3306 lbs.
2. Jacks: It can lift up to 7936 lbs of weight.
3. Rough Terrain: These forklifts are very powerful and its load capacity is 35273 lbs.

Used Forklifts

Cost-saving is a major factor to consider while buying a forklift for your business. If you don’t have enough budget, you don’t have to worry because used forklifts are also available easily in the market. The cost of used forklifts can be about 50% less than the new ones. When you opt to buy a used forklift, it enables you to purchase a high-quality and efficient machine with generous upfront saving. You would know that this machine has previously proven its excellence and reliability in its previous workplace, giving you the peace of mind. Another advantage of buying a used forklift is that the mechanics are already familiar with this machine and can easily fix and repair it. This will not only save your money, but time as well.

Types of Engines Used in Forklifts

Different types of engines are used in forklifts these days. The most important of them are listed below:

1. Electric Engine

Electric engines are used in Electric forklifts which need rechargeable batteries. These engines are very efficient because they need no space for extra fuel storage, no emissions, and no risk of flammable materials as well.

2. Diesel Engine

The diesel engine gives you the power that no other engine can provide. They are ideally used for intense jobs typically because of their power. Diesel engines are usually used when the load is over 7,000 lbs or you need to do heavy-duty works.

3. LPG Engines

LPG engines are the most common because of its suitability for outside or inside use and competitive pricing. These engines are easily available in the market. Their parts are also readily available at low prices.

Pricing of Forklifts

A lot of different types of forklifts are available these days whose price varies greatly. Generally, the price of Electric forklift is higher than the other types. A 5,000 lbs forklift is the industry standard. The price of a new 5000 lb electric forklift ranges between $20,000 to $25,000 along with $2,800 to $5,000 for a battery and charger. Due to its high price, many people prefer buying a used electric forklift whose price is often half that of a new forklift. You would also require a battery-transporter and can expect to pay $3,000 to $6,000.

A 5000lb internal combustion forklift can cost about $20,000 to $36,000. If your workload is higher and you need a 10,000 lb forklift, it can cost about $40,000 to $60,000 or even more. So before deciding to buy a forklift, the first and the most important factor to determine is its pricing. Another thing about which you should be clear is the method of purchasing a forklift. If you are financially weal or your business is at the initial stage, the best option available is to lease a forklift instead of buying. Many companies these days opt to lease forklifts because of its advantages. Comparable to loan payments, lease payments are much lower and can be easily installed every month. Let’s say after a couple of years of leasing a forklift, your business needs changes and you need the latest model, just turn it back and get a new one. Another benefit of leasing a forklift is that you can keep your bank lines open.

Conclusion

Forklifts have become an extremely useful and effective machine in modern business. It can be fruitful and helpful for your business to grow as it saves a lot of time, which then can be spent on other important projects. Today, various forklifts are offered by different dealers. We sell the best forklifts available in the market and offer various maintenance services.  So it is up to you to determine one that is best suits your business needs.

So if you are looking for large services related to forklifts, please fill the form above. Our team will contact you soon.