AssetTrader Buying Guide to ForkLift Trucks

Features and Options

Forklifts can be powered by an electric battery, or through internal combustion. The differences in fuel types should be acknowledged when seeking to purchase a forklift, as each option offers different features.

Electric forklifts are ostensibly kinder to the environment, and produce zero emissions. However, typically the batteries last for approximately 5 to 6 hours of constant usage, and this will be subjective as to how it translates into your working day. Additionally, electric forklifts offer quieter operation and have a lower cost per hour with regards to fuel. The fact that often electric powered forklifts have fewer moving parts than forklifts internal combustion implies that they have a potentially longer life span.

The main disadvantage of electric forklifts is the long charging times of 8 hours (plus 8 hours cooling time) to repower the forklift. Additionally, the need for a battery charging station may prove to be inconvenient, as electric powered forklifts require a charger which is located in a dry, temperature controlled and ventilated area.

Forklifts which run on internal combustion can only be used in areas with very good ventilation. However, benefits include the fact that they can run on a variety of fuels, and can be used immediately without having to be charged. It should also be noted that forklifts which function on internal combustion are the only fuel type capable of handling the largest loads, for example, of over 15,000 lbs.

Despite their lower costs initially in comparison to electric-powered forklifts, forklifts which run on internal combustion are often more expensive to operate in the long run, mainly because of fuel costs.

There are a number of forklift models available. Some of the more common forklift truck types, from the largest to the smallest are:

- Very narrow aisle forklift truck (usually a reach truck designed for aisles less than five feet wide)
- Rider Order Picking fork truck (commonly called an Order Picker like a small forklift, except the operator rides up to the load and transfers it article by article)
- Walkie Order Picking fork truck
- Slip Sheet machine
- Telescopic handler
- Side loader
- IC counterbalanced forklift truck
- Electric counterbalanced forklift truck
- Reach truck (small forklifts, designed for small aisles, usually electrically powered)
- Rider stacker
- Walkie stacker
- Towing tractor
- Rider low lift forklift truck
- Walkie low lift truck (powered pallet truck, usually electrically powered)
- Hand pallet truck (a pump truck, or a chep truck, or a hand-jack, a simple mechanism whereby hand-pumped hydraulics raise or lower a single pallet simply to provide clearance from the floor for manual

There are a number of characteristics to choose from across these forklifts:

Power Source: LPG, diesel or petrol internal combustion engine, or an electric motor using either alternating or direct current powered by battery or fuel cells.
The Mast: The mast provides the backbone for the lifting, lowering and tilting of the load.Typically this is operated hydraulically or via a chain in turn powered using a hydraulic motor.
The Carriage: This is made up of flat metal plates that move up and down the mast by means of a chain or direct attachment to a hydraulic cylinder.
Forks: These are L-shaped items that attach to the carriage. The horizontal portion is placed or inserted under the load or into a support such as a pallet or skid.
Load Back Rest: This is a fitting which is used when the load is brought higher than the back of the carriage.
Overhead Guard: The overhead guard is a metal roof present on rider operated machines which protects the driver from any falling items.
Cab: Either open or closed, this is connected to the cage like overhead guard assembly.
Counterbalance: These