Questions to Ask Before You Rent A Forklift
Clarify your needs before you rent a forklift to help you to rent a forklift that is right for your applications and budget. Below are some of the questions you need to answer:
What is the capacity required?
How much weight must the forklift typically lift? What is the maximum weight that it must be able to carry? Keep in mind that the average forklift can carry around 2 t. We offer various sizes with different capacities. We also offer heavy-duty forklifts for rent with exceptional weight capacities. It is essential that you know the weight requirements, since you do not want to rent a forklift that is not able to carry the weight. On the other end of the scale, you do not want to rent a forklift that is bigger than needed, since you will pay more.
What materials are you going to load?
Do you want to rent a forklift that can handle irregular loads or are the loads uniformly sized? Will the product be strapped or wrapped? Will it be an unsecured load? The packaging of the product is important to determine which forklift to rent. Will the product be placed on pallets or do you need lifting equipment that can lift it directly from the floor? If the case of the latter, you may need to rent additional attachments for the forklift. For example, if the load will be round barrels, you will need to rent a forklift with a beak-and-jaw attachment. If you plan to move long plasterboard, you will need to rent a slipper extension.
What is the lift height?
It does not make sense to rent a forklift that cannot lift the weight at the height required. As such, determine the actual height for stacking or lifting before you rent a forklift. Not only will you waste money if you rent a forklift that cannot do the job, but you will risk the safety of your crew, as the forklift will be extended beyond its safe reach. Overloading at height can cause the machine to tip over, causing property damage and injuries to bystanders and the operator.
Where will you operate the machine?
Rent a forklift that can be safely operated on the surface on which you intend to use it. As such, determine whether it will be used in a warehouse, industrial plant, a construction site or perhaps the lumberyard. The environment where the forklift is used is extremely important. For warehouse operations where the floor surface is smooth and even, we recommend renting an electrical forklift. It is environmentally friendly with no hazardous emissions and thus suitable for indoor use. A smooth surface is important for safe operation.
We recommend that you rent an engine-driven forklift (LPG, diesel, or petrol) for outdoor applications. These machines are made specifically for rougher surfaces and provide the performance needed for harsh environments. The tyres and suspension are suitable for outdoor applications. For confined spaces, you need to rent a forklift that can manoeuvre in the available space. You thus also need to determine what the minimum aisle widths are to ensure you rent a forklift that can turn in the available space. In this regard, you will want to rent a 3-wheeled counterbalanced machine, as it can manoeuvre in confined spaces. Keep in mind, that the 4-wheeled machine is more stable than the 3-wheeled version.
For how long do you want to rent a forklift?
Leasing is less expensive and is suitable for long-term rental. If it is for a short-term project, you might want to rent a forklift rather than lease it.
Speak to our consultants about your exact requirements after you have determined the above factors. We will help you choose a machine that is right for your application and budget.