People working in warehouses and factories often have to depend on forklifts. A forklift is a vehicle that bears a close resemblance to a small truck. However, it has two metal forks at the front, which are very useful for lifting cargo. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that nearly every warehouse has a forklift these days. It is common knowledge that forklifts have revolutionised the work processes in warehouses and factories.
In the past, factory and warehouse owners needed to rely on manual labour for lifting cargo and transporting it from one location to another. Forklifts can lift and transport cargo that weighs thousands of pounds very easily. Hence, they have boosted efficiencies in warehouses and factories considerably.
An Overview of Forklifts
The forklift operator drives the forklift forward in such a way that the forks go beneath the cargo and lift them. Then, the operator drives the forklift to the appropriate location. At the appropriate site, the operator operates the forks to lift the cargo several feet in the air. If you were to visit any forklift supplier, you would find various makes and models of forklifts.
Typically, gas powered forklifts are ideal for operating on rough terrain. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to find forklifts powered by diesel or natural gas functioning in areas that have rough terrain. These forklifts will usually possess the highest lifting capacity of all forklifts. They will also come with heavy-duty tyres, which makes it easier to drive these machines on the most uneven of surfaces.
The Aspects to Consider when Buying a Forklift
When you visit a supplier to purchase a forklift or a forklift wrecker, you could find yourself facing a daunting proposition. After all, there are several makes and models of forklifts available. Choosing one forklift from among the numerous brands and options available can be quite difficult. Therefore, when you purchase a forklift, always keep the following aspects in mind.
- The Capacity: Each forklift has a rated capacity. This figure denotes the amount of weight the forklift is able to lift. Therefore, you need to have a good working idea of the weights and the sizes of the loads you intend using the forklift to carry.
- The Lift Height: You would also need to know the heights you want the forklift to lift the loads to. This is because the higher you want the forklift to lift a load, the lower the forklift’s capacity will be.
- The Application: You also need to consider the manner in which you plan to use the forklift. This involves knowing the height and weights of the loads. It involves knowing the terrain in which you plan to use the machine too.
- The Attachments: Each forklift comes with several attachments. These include attachments like the carton clamps, sideshifters, drum handlers etc. You would need to consider the attachments you need to derive optimal functionality from your unit.
- The Fuel Options: If you use the forklift in a closed facility, consider getting an electric forklift. These will require special maintenance and batteries that have specific chargers. However, they will not emit noxious fumes while functioning. Dual fuel forklifts are also available. These units offer greater flexibility and mobility.
- The Tyre Options: Forklifts also use a vast range of tyres e.g. air pneumatic, air, foam-filled tyres etc. Depending on your application and the area of use, you would need to select tyres that enhance the comfort levels of the operators.
Do You Require Forklifts or Forklift Spares?
Whether you need Hyster forklift parts or Mitsubishi forklift parts, South Coast Forklifts is the supplier to trust. We provide both new and used forklifts. We also provide the spare parts for forklifts of all makes and models. This includes spare parts like spare tyres, forklift jacks, internal gears, brakes and lift accessories. Heavier spare parts would include the transmission or the load structure.
Therefore, when you need used or new forklifts or spare parts, call us at 1300 988 795. Get high quality machines you can use for years with our expertise in the domain.