1025 Mt. Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14606
Ok, so you're thinking of buying a forklift. You don't know a whole lot except that you need one. Here's a few things to get you started :
What do you want your forklift to do? What is the heaviest weight you will be lifting with your forklift? How high do you want your forklift to lift? Where will it be used? (ex: what type of surface will it operate on?) How much will you be using it every day? What type of fuel will you want to power your forklift (gas, LP, diesel, or electric battery powered? ) What is your forklift budget and how much do you want to spend?
Lets talk about some of the forklifts and their differences:
Fuel- Depending on your application, each power source has it's advantages or disadvantages. Internal combustion engines have more variable power, generate more torque, and are easier to re-fuel. They do require more maintenance and emit more emissions. Electric forklifts have the lowest overall operating costs, are fume free and have less moving parts. They are quiet. But they need eight hours of re-charging time when they run out of power and need returning to a charger. They do not like rain or extreme cold. How and where you will be using your forklift will be a factor.
Cushion tire forklifts- these forklifts have a tighter turning radius than pneumatic tire forklifts but operation is limited to hard smooth surfaces.
Pneumatic tire forklifts- these forklifts are air filled tires that are typically used outside on yard surfaces such as crushed concrete, packed gravel. Not recommended on loose dirt or mud. Can be used on smooth surfaces as well. They have a larger turning radius than a cushion tire forklift.
Cushion and Pneumatic tires are not interchangeable. The frame of a forklift was built for either or.
Three wheel forklifts- primarily have cushion tires and mainly used indoors. Have tight turning radius good for unloading trucks and moving pallets throughout a warehouse where maneuverability and space is limited.
Four wheel electric forklifts- come in either cushion or pneumatic(although pneumatic is more rare) and many capacities. See our sale page.
Reach trucks- these are commonly known as narrow-aisle forklifts. These are designed to rack pallets on smooth surfaces. Single reach forklifts can extend the distance of one pallet. Double reach can extend the distance of two pallets. Outriggers on the front of the forklift support the weight of the load.
Order-Pickers- these electric forklifts are otherwise called stock pickers or man-ups. The rider stands on an elevating platform along with the forks so they may rise with the forklift to select a load. These can be used in narrow aisles.
Standup Counterbalance- well suited for the quick loading and unloading of trucks in conditions where the rider might have to frequently get on and off of a forklift. Primarily used indoors on smooth surfaces.
Walkie Counterbalance-same as a rider but you control it and steer it by a handle and walk with it.
Walkie stacker- same as a stacker but has outriggers some have reaching features
Electric pallet jacks- have electric hoist, motor, forward and reverse. Lifts approximately 6" off of ground and used for moving pallets on the floor. Not for stacking.
Hopefully we have given you a few things to consider.
Our inventory is always changing. We would love the chance to sell you a forklift. Feel free to browse our pictures and see if something interests you. Or stop in and see us.
And remember ..... NO MATTER WHERE YOU BUY YOUR FORKLIFT... WE SERVICE WHAT THEY SELL !
