How to Choose Warehouse Forklifts and Lifting Equipment to Streamline Your Operations
Choosing the wrong warehouse forklifts and lifting equipment can have dire consequences for the productivity and efficiency of your warehouse. However, with all the warehouse forklifts and lifting equipment out there, how do you choose the right equipment for your environment and needs? We answer the question, helping you find the right warehouse forklifts and lifting equipment for maximum efficiency in your business.
What You Move
Which materials and products do you move in your warehouse? How often do you need to do this? By determining the materials to be moved and the frequency at which this will happen, you can decide whether to buy pallet stackers, reach trucks, order pickers, or 3-wheeled or 4-wheeled forklifts.
What The Weight of The Load Is
Every load is different, but you can determine the average weight and the maximum weight that the forklift must be able to transport. Once you have determined the required load capacity, you can narrow down your choices.
Where The Equipment Must Operate
Do you need to use the equipment indoors and outdoors, or just the one or the other? This is important, since you do not want engine-driven forklifts or warehouse lifting equipment that emit harmful gases in indoor spaces. As such, for indoor use only, choose electric forklifts and warehouse lifting equipment from our range. If you plan to use the equipment out in the yard, you want equipment that can move faster over longer distances. The tyres must be suitable and you want equipment that can operate under outdoor conditions. To this end, gas, diesel, or petrol forklifts provide excellent performance. If you plan to use the same equipment indoors and outdoors, opting for powerful electric forklifts and lifting equipment is preferable. Electric forklifts and lifting equipment emit less noise than engine-driven units and are better suited to indoor environments.
What Height You Need to Lift
You only need to consider the maximum lift height and the frequency of lifting to that height. However, do this with consideration of lifting capacity. You want forklift and warehouse lifting equipment that can reach the specific height with the average weight that will normally be lifted.
The Turning Space Needed
Keep in mind that, even if the forklift is ideal in terms of the weight, height, speed, and performance you need, if it cannot turn in the available space, it is useless for use in your warehouse. As such, consider the width of the aisles and the available turning space before you shop for warehouse forklifts and lifting equipment.
Do Not Buy A Forklift to Perform Just One Task
Unless you have the luxury to spend a lot of money on equipment that is only used for one or two tasks whilst standing around unproductively for the rest of the time, purchase forklifts or warehouse lifting equipment that can be used for several tasks. In this way, you maximise the return on your investment. If you plan to use the equipment only once or twice in the season, it is better to rather rent the relevant equipment from us.
Think Long-Term
Knowing that you can rent, buy, or lease forklifts and lifting equipment, you can plan which units to buy, to rent for short periods, or to lease for longer periods.
Your Current Inventory Selection and Putting-Away Processes
If need be, reconsider the storage space and how to rearrange your layout to maximise the warehouse space and use the equipment within the available space. Plan workflow operations, as it will help you determine which equipment to buy to streamline and improve the efficiency of your warehouse operations.
Call our experts to help you select warehouse forklifts and lifting equipment from our range to meet your needs.