Industrial forklifts do the heavy lifting in most warehouse environments. Specifically, the forklift is the critical tool for raising products up to multiple tier levels. When you're looking for forklift suppliers, it's important to get quality purchases that will complement your existing operations. Business managers also need to think about power sources: some forklifts are battery operated while others run on propane or natural gas or other fuels.
Warehouse and shipping workers:
1. Use full-scale industrial forklifts to take palletized products and put them on metal racks in multiple tier levels.
2. Use forklift-type vehicles and truck mounted forklifts to carry products around a floor area.
3. Use a variety of forklift-type machines to get products on or off of transport vehicles.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Buy industrial forklifts new from vendors
Business owners can browse new forklift models for sale online, checking out detailed product specifications and reviews. Look at stats like horsepower, mechanical process, fuel source, and of course, price; contact the vendor to learn more.
I recommend: The popular auto maker
Toyota sells a line of forklifts and forklift type machines like pallet loaders. Web users can see price quotes from a number of different forklift manufacturers, including Toyota, at
BuyerZone.
Research reconditioned or used forklifts for sale
As with many products and vehicles in particular, forklifts are often refurbished or remanufactured at a "factory shop" and resold at bargain prices. Check out online offers of used or refurbished models to see if you can bring down your cost without compromising quality.
I recommend: Warehouse Rack offers a supply of reconditioned and used forklifts.
Russel Equipment provides a search-ready inventory of many forklift models.
Consider "forklift type" vehicles
For smaller projects, you may be able to use vehicles like electric pallet jacks or skid steer loaders in place of a full-scale forklift. A skid steer with forklift attachments can be an efficient mover of palletized goods or even loose items if you're not planning on hefting materials beyond 2 or 3 feet high.
I recommend: Blue Giant sells electric pallet jacks for warehouse solutions. If your job is outdoors, take a look at prices on skid steer loaders at
B2B Exchange.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Try to get a warranty on forklift purchase. Your forklift isn't a small item, and you want to safeguard your investment if possible, especially on a used buy.
- Keep safety first and foremost in forklift use. When you're buying, have a plan for how to train drivers on the forklift as soon as it hits the floor. Trained drivers are safe drivers: the perils of tilting in a forklift are critical things to teach, to minimize the risk of accidents on the floor.
The official source of Forklifts is the Forklifts page at Business.com
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