RENT A FORKLIFT: CHECKLIST FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRUCK

Although the basic task is always the same for forklift trucks, work platforms and cranes, there are considerable differences in terms of the requirements placed on the equipment used when transporting heavy loads from A to B.

Before hiring the appropriate vehicles, it is therefore essential to get a clear picture of what the equipment actually has to do. Our checklist will give you an overview of the most important selection criteria and you can then decide which forklift truck, work platform or crane is best suited to your task.

1. AREAS OF APPLICATION & FORKLIFT TYPES

Heavy loads have to be moved in many sectors, which is why industrial trucks in their various designs have become an integral part of everyday operations in trade and industry. Typical areas of application for forklift trucks and similar equipment are

• the construction industry,
• Events and functions,
• the timber industry,
• landscaping and horticulture,
• the forestry industry,
• Logistics and transportation,
• Heavy industry and steel industry.

Within these sectors, forklift trucks, work platforms and cranes perform very different tasks. Even within one industry, the working environments and requirements can vary greatly. The selection of vehicles and equipment is correspondingly large. Our product portfolio for the rental of work equipment includes

 

Stacker type	Features
Industrial forklift	Industrial forklifts are all-rounders and correspond to the common image of a forklift truck. They are capable of lifting loads of several tons and can be adapted to many applications with various attachments. Industrial forklifts are powered by gas, diesel or electric motors
Forklift truck	Depending on the model, large forklifts have a load capacity of up to 20 tons and can therefore transport massive loads. For this reason, they are used for transporting bulk goods, for example, as well as at ports, terminals, in the construction industry or in the metal industry.
Compact forklift	The term compact forklift truck refers to the design of the vehicles in terms of their load capacity. Industrial and large forklift trucks are classic representatives that can transport considerable loads in confined spaces despite their small size. Thanks to their strong lifting power and maneuverability, they are a good choice in many environments.
All-terrain forklift	All-terrain forklifts are used to safely transport large loads over rough terrain. They are mainly used in the timber industry, in concrete plants and in building construction and civil engineering, where the working environment is too uneven for other industrial trucks.
Telescopic forklift	Telescopic forklifts are also known as telescopic arm forklifts or telehandlers. The eponymous hydraulic telescopic arm is positioned in the middle of the truck and anchored at the rear end. It is extremely stable and enables large loads to be lifted to working heights of more than 20 meters.
High lift truck	In comparison, pallet trucks are smaller industrial trucks. Equipped with a mast and fork carriage, they are designed to lift boxes, plates and similar items weighing more than one ton. They are typically used in industry, workshops, trade, commerce and retail.
Reach truck	Similar to high lift trucks, reach trucks are specialists for lifting heavy loads to great heights in confined spaces. They can reach lifting heights of 10 meters. They are therefore an excellent option for high-bay warehouses, logistics centers and cold stores.
Working platform	Work platforms support work at great heights. For this purpose, they must provide a secure footing and base. The work surfaces are designed to be large enough to provide sufficient space. Scissor lifts or articulated telescopic work platforms can reach heights of 100 meters and more.
Crane	Electric cranes are used, for example, to lift and transport entire machines or plant components in confined spaces. Depending on the mobile crane, a load capacity of up to 60 tons can be achieved – without outriggers.

2. PLACE OF USE

The place of use for a forklift truck is already decisive for a number of decisions regarding the right device:

Drive types

Forklift trucks and other industrial trucks are equipped with different drives. On the one hand, this has an impact on performance and, on the other, on the possible working areas in which the forklift trucks can be used.

• Electric motors are comparatively weak, but have the great advantage that they can be used indoors without hesitation due to their emission-free drive.
• Depending on the gas used, gas engines can also be used indoors (this applies to LPG and natural gas drives). Gas-powered forklifts are often cheaper than comparable electric forklifts.
• Diesel engines are mainly installed in front-loading, off-road and heavy-duty forklift trucks and give them their high performance. However, as these are combustion engines, their use in indoor areas is very limited and subject to appropriate precautions (such as particulate filters).

Surface & tires

Another exclusion criterion is the surface of the working environment. Many forklift trucks are designed for use on level surfaces, such as those found in production halls, warehouses and similar areas.

The spectrum ranges from pneumatic tires to super-elastic tires and polyurethane tires to solid rubber tires. However, the tires do not only affect the possible applications:

• Some tires have less suspension and are therefore more susceptible to shocks caused by even minor bumps.
• Reduced damping makes tires unsuitable for outdoor use.
• The traction of the tires either enables higher speeds or forces you to work at a slower pace.
• Last but not least, the tires also determine which lifting heights are possible with a forklift truck. Pneumatic tires, for example, perform significantly worse in this respect than other types of tires.

 

Dimensions

Although many forklift trucks and cranes are designed to transport large loads even in confined spaces, the dimensions of the equipment are a factor that should not be underestimated. The forklift truck must always be able to perform its intended tasks in the intended environment.

High-bay warehouses with narrow aisles, for example, may not be wide enough even for compact industrial forklifts, so you will have to resort to narrow-aisle forklifts or sideloaders in such an environment. However, the wide range of forklift trucks, cranes and work platforms gives you sufficient options to find the right device for your working environment.

Especially as the issue of dimensions must always be considered in context: Even a mobile crane can transport enormous loads in a space-constrained environment. In this case, however, we are not talking about rows of high racks, but about production and machine halls and the transportation of entire systems. This also requires precise maneuvering, but the dimensions are different.

When looking for a suitable forklift truck, it is therefore essential to consider the specific requirements of the planned working environment.

3. LOAD CAPACITY & LIFTING HEIGHT

The load capacity and lifting height of a forklift truck are interrelated and are decisive for the performance of the device.

Load capacity

Load capacity refers to the maximum permissible load of forklift trucks, cranes or work platforms. The type and nature of the load, the ambient conditions and other factors must be taken into account. The following also applies for use: The load capacity data does not take dynamic forces such as the acceleration of the device into account.

Lifting height

The lifting height is the maximum distance that the fork of the forklift truck or the arm of a crane can travel vertically in order to lift loads. A basic distinction is made between low-lift and high-lift devices:

• Low-lift devices such as pallet trucks are designed to lift loads off the ground so that they can be set down again after transportation. The maximum lifting height is therefore limited, but is sufficient for largely horizontal transportation.
• High-lift trucks, on the other hand, can reach significantly greater lifting heights; depending on the equipment, heights of more than 10 meters are possible. High-lift trucks or reach trucks, some of which can be equipped with several masts, are among the specialists that are capable of lifting to greater heights.

When using high-lift devices with masts, it should be noted that they require a certain minimum height in the rooms in order to be able to access them, even when retracted. This means that the room height is definitely a relevant factor when selecting a suitable device.

The lift height also influences the load capacity of a forklift truck. As the lift height increases, both the load’s center of gravity and the overall center of gravity of the truck shift – which has an impact on stability. This means that the maximum load capacity of the forklift truck decreases as the lifting height increases.

For this reason, it is advisable to calculate the exact ratio between the required load capacity and lifting height in advance. Depending on the specific requirements, not all forklifts are suitable for transporting loads to the desired height.

4. ATTACHMENTS