The Ultimate Forklift Buyers Guide

The Ultimate Forklift Buyer's Guide

Buying a forklift is a significant investment for any business, whether you're a burgeoning start up or an established enterprise looking to upgrade your fleet. The right forklift truck can dramatically boost efficiency, productivity, and safety in your operations. However, with a myriad of options available – from different fuel types to various capacities and buying methods – navigating the market can feel overwhelming.

At PHL, we understand these challenges. With years of experience in providing quality material handling solutions, including forklift for sale, forklift hire, and second-hand forklifts, we've put together this comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.

Assess Your Operational Needs: The Foundation of Your Choice

Before you even begin looking at models, the first and most crucial step is to deeply understand your own operational requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:

What are you lifting? Consider the type of goods (pallets, crates, irregular loads), their dimensions, and crucially, their weight. This directly impacts the required lift capacity of your forklift. Always factor in a safety margin.

How high do you need to lift? Measure the maximum height of your racking or stacking areas. This will determine the mast type and maximum lift height. Common mast types include:

• Simplex: A single mast with limited lift.
• Duplex: Two stages, offering greater lift height.
• Triplex: Three stages, ideal for very high lifts and often featuring a "full free lift" for operating inside containers or low doorways.
• Quad: Four stages, for the highest lifting requirements.

 What are your working environments?

• Indoors vs. Outdoors: This is a major factor in fuel type selection. Indoor operations usually require lower emissions.
• Aisle Widths: Narrow aisles necessitate compact forklifts like reach trucks or specialized warehouse forklifts.
• Floor Surfaces: Smooth warehouse floors allow for different tire types than rough outdoor terrain. Loading Docks/Containers: Specific mast types (like triplex with free lift) are essential for working inside confined spaces.
• How often will it be used? Occasional use might warrant forklift hire or a second-hand forklift, while continuous, heavy-duty work might justify a new purchase.
• How many hours per day/week? This impacts battery size for electric models or fuel tank capacity for internal combustion forklifts, as well as maintenance schedules.

Choosing Your Power Source: Gas, Diesel, or Electric?

The power source is one of the most fundamental decisions, heavily influenced by your working environment and operational intensity.

Electric Forklifts:

• Pros: Zero emissions, quiet operation, ideal for indoor use (warehouses, food processing, retail), lower running costs (electricity is often cheaper than fuel), less maintenance due to fewer moving parts. They are excellent warehouse forklifts.
• Cons: Higher initial purchase price, require dedicated charging infrastructure, limited continuous operation (battery life), longer "refuelling" time (charging).
• Best for: Indoor applications, sensitive environments, businesses focused on sustainability, multi-shift operations with battery rotation.

Gas Forklifts (LPG/Petrol):

• Pros: Versatile for both indoor (with good ventilation) and outdoor use, quick refuelling, powerful, generally lower initial cost than electric or diesel forklifts. They are often referred to as gas forklifts.
• Cons: Produce emissions (carbon monoxide), louder operation, fuel costs can fluctuate, require good ventilation when used indoors.

Best for: Mixed indoor/outdoor operations, facilities with access to LPG cylinders, intermittent use, when quick refuelling is critical.

Diesel Forklifts:

• Pros: Most powerful and robust, excellent for heavy outdoor applications (construction sites, timber yards), highly durable, capable of handling large loads over rough terrain.
• Cons: Produce significant emissions (soot, nitrogen oxides), very noisy, higher fuel costs, not suitable for indoor use due to exhaust fumes.
• Best for: Heavy-duty outdoor work, demanding environments, continuous operation with very heavy loads.

New vs. Second-Hand Forklifts: Weighing Your Options

The decision between buying new or opting for second-hand forklifts often comes down to budget, intended use, and desired features.

New Forklifts:

• Pros: latest technology, full manufacturer warranty, potentially better fuel efficiency/battery life, customisable to your exact specifications, greater reliability, longer lifespan, easier access to parts.
• Cons: Higher initial capital outlay, rapid depreciation in the first few years.
• Best for: Businesses with large budgets, high-intensity operations, specific customisation needs, or those prioritising the absolute latest features and full warranty coverage.

 Second-Hand Forklifts:

• Pros: Significantly lower upfront cost, faster acquisition, immediate availability, can be an excellent value investment, especially for intermittent use. PHL specialises in high-quality second-hand forklifts, offering rigorously inspected and serviced machines.
• Cons: No manufacturer warranty (though reputable dealers like PHL may offer their own), potentially older technology, higher maintenance costs over time if not well-maintained, unknown operational history if not bought from a trusted source.
• Best for: Budget-conscious businesses, start-ups, operations with lower usage hours, or as supplementary machines for peak periods. Always ensure you purchase from a reputable dealer who provides service history and guarantees.

Forklift Hire vs. Purchase: Flexibility vs. Ownership

Sometimes, buying isn't the only, or even the best, option. Forklift hire and forklift rental offer significant flexibility.

• Forklift Purchase (New or Used):
  
• Pros: Asset ownership, long-term cost-effectiveness for consistent heavy use, depreciation benefits for tax purposes, full control over maintenance and modifications.
• Cons: High initial capital outlay, responsibility for all maintenance, repairs, and compliance, risk of obsolescence, tied-up capital.
• Best for: Businesses with predictable, consistent long-term demand for a forklift, sufficient capital, and the resources for ongoing maintenance.
• Forklift Hire / Fork Lift Rental:
  
• Pros: No large upfront capital investment, fixed monthly costs (often including maintenance and servicing), flexibility to upgrade or downgrade as needs change, ideal for seasonal peaks or short-term projects, no worries about depreciation or obsolescence. PHL offers flexible forklift rental solutions to suit various business needs.
• Cons: Can be more expensive than purchasing in the long run for continuous, heavy use, no asset ownership, no equity build-up.
• Best for: Start-ups with limited capital, businesses with fluctuating or seasonal demand, short-term projects, trying out different models before committing to a purchase, or covering breakdowns of your own fleet.

 

Key Specifications & Features to Consider

Beyond power source and buying method, several technical specifications will influence your choice:

• Tire Types:
  
  
• Cushion Tyres: Solid rubber, ideal for smooth, indoor surfaces and tight turns. Common on warehouse forklifts.
• Pneumatic Tyres: Air-filled, like car tyres, offering good traction and cushioning for rough outdoor surfaces.
• Solid Pneumatic Tyres: Resemble pneumatic but are solid, providing puncture resistance for rough outdoor environments with debris.
• Polyurethane Tyres: Hard, durable, low-rolling resistance, often used on electric forklifts for very smooth, indoor floors.
• Non-Marking Tyres: Essential for facilities where black marks are undesirable (e.g., food processing, cleanrooms).

• Attachments: Standard forks can be augmented with a variety of attachments to enhance versatility:
  
  
• Side Shifters: Allow the operator to shift the forks left or right without repositioning the entire forklift.
• Fork Positioners: Hydraulically adjust fork spacing, saving time and reducing manual effort.
• Rotators: Ideal for emptying bins or turning loads.
• Paper Roll Clamps, Carton Clamps, Drum Clamps: Specialised attachments for specific load types.

• Ergonomics and Safety Features: Operator comfort and safety are paramount. Look for features such as:
  
  
• Adjustable seats and steering columns
• Easy-to-use controls
• Good visibility (mast design, mirrors)
• Operator presence sensing systems (forklift won't operate without an operator in the seat)
• Seat belts, warning lights, and alarms
• Overhead guards for falling object protection.

Long-Term Costs and Compliance

The purchase price is only one part of the equation. Consider the total cost of ownership:

• Maintenance & Servicing: All forklift trucks require regular maintenance. Factor in costs for routine servicing, parts, and potential repairs. PHL offers comprehensive servicing to keep your machine in top condition.
• Fuel/Energy Costs: Significant ongoing operational cost, especially for high-usage machines.
• Insurance: Essential to protect your investment and cover liabilities.
• Operator Training: All operators must be properly trained and certified.

Regulatory Compliance: In the UK, forklifts fall under several key regulations:

• LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998): Requires all lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined by a competent person at specified intervals.

• PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998): Requires work equipment to be suitable for its intended use, safe, maintained, and inspected.

• HASAWA (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974): The overarching legislation for workplace health and safety.

Your Partner in Forklift Solutions

Choosing the right forklift is a strategic decision that impacts your business's efficiency, safety, and bottom line. By carefully assessing your needs, understanding the different types and power sources, and weighing the pros and cons of purchasing versus fork lift rental, you can make an informed choice.

Whether you're searching for a reliable second-hand forklift, exploring flexible forklift hire options, or need expert advice on the perfect warehouse forklift for your operations, PHL is here to help. We stock a wide range of forklift for sale and have the expertise to guide you through every step of the process.

Ready to find your ideal forklift? Contact PHL today for expert advice and to explore our extensive inventory.