Choosing the Right Lift Truck for Your Business

When you’re looking for a lift truck, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure that you buy the right one. After all, every business has its own set of needs. Some businesses may be better off renting a lift truck, while others might find more value in purchasing a new or used truck. Whatever you decide to do, here are four things you should keep in mind when choosing the right lift truck for your business:

1. Operational requirements – This is definitely the most important item on the list. The goal is for you to purchase the smallest truck that will fit your needs. However, you don’t want to buy one that is too small. It needs to be just the right size. So consider what you are lifting. How much does it weight? What are the dimensions of the load? Make sure to consider all loads not just what you are currently handling. Make sure to consider future uses or changes to your business so that you don’t end up having a lift truck that just isn’t big enough for your requirements.
2. Performance – Every company that sells lift trucks will have some literature on how well their truck performs. Just keep in mind that those numbers were arrived at during optimum conditions like a full battery and a driver who specializes in moving pallets with speed. You probably won’t get as much performance as they claim, but those numbers are a good guide to go by when you are choosing the right truck.
3. Efficiency of space – You need to keep in mind how wide your aisles in the warehouse are. If you need a truck that will operate in a very tight space, you may want a stand up model because on average, they are more than 20 percent more space efficient than the counterbalance forklifts. If space is really an issue, reach trucks are even more space efficient. Deep reach trucks and swing mast forklifts are even more efficient than standard reach trucks, so you have plenty of options available, depending on how much space efficiency you need.
4. Operating costs – When you first start looking at forklifts, you may notice that some of them are quite a bit less expensive than the others. In general, the more bells and whistles offered with the unit and the more electronics, the higher the repair costs will be once the warranty has expired. Don’t buy what you don’t need and always consider whether you need the options offered. Always keep in mind what is best for your business.

It always pays to have an expert on your side when you are looking at lift trucks. Picking out the right one is a complex process that involves a lot of knowledge and experience. No two businesses are the same, so it is essential that you consider your options carefully and collect all of the information you can, not just about the lift trucks that are available, but also about your warehouse and about the size of the loads you deal with.

Let the experts at Magnum Material Handling help you buy the right lift truck in Toronto, Ontario. They offer both new and pre-owned lift trucks, as well as parts and service and even rental trucks. At Magnum Material Handling, they strive to provide customers with only the highest level of satisfaction and service. Call Magnum Material Handling today for help buying the best lift truck for your business in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada. Toll Free: 1-866-342-6652.