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December 17, 2020 5 Things to Keep in Mind While Hiring a Forklift

In this article, I have mentioned a few things that you must keep in mind when hiring a forklift company.

If your business needs a forklift and you have decided to rent one instead of purchasing it, then you have made an excellent decision. Many businesses require the services of a forklift from time to time, but buying a new forklift is not a smart choice as it is pretty expensive. Luckily there are plenty of forklift companies out there that allow you to rent a Forklift and driver so that you can get the job done without spending a large sum of money. If you choose the right forklift hiring company, you will be able to rent any forklift you need and can pay for it on an hourly basis. In this article, I have mentioned a few questions and things that you must keep in mind while hiring a forklift company. Keeping these important points in mind will help you choose the right forklift and save you some money. Let’s take a look:

Types of Equipment

When it comes to hiring a forklift, you cannot just simply hire the first one the company has to offer you. You need to inform the company about what you will be doing with the forklift and what kind of equipment you require. All forklifts come in different shapes and sizes, and many of them have parts that are suitable to perform specific actions. If you are not sure what kind of forklift will be suitable for you, simply talk to the rental company and tell them about the operations you would be carrying with it, and they will help you choose the right equipment. You need to keep your warehouse safety measures in mind as well, so choose the forklift wisely.

Duration of Hire

You need to keep in mind the duration for which you will be renting the forklift. Now, for this, you first need to evaluate your project so that you could know at what time you will need the forklift and for how long. Most forklift companies offer you daily, weekly and monthly plans, and you must choose a package wisely to save money. For example, if you need a forklift for six to seven days, you can go for a weekly option instead of sticking with daily rent and can save yourself a decent amount of money. This will also give you more control over the forklift as you will be able to use it 24×7.

On-site Limitations

This is important for those businesses who will be using the forklift indoors or in close quarters. In such a scenario, it is best if you measure the width and length of the doors and corridors through which you will be taking the forklift. You can provide these measurements to the forklift renting company, and they will make sure that they provide you with the right vehicle. You don’t want to rent a forklift and find out hours later that it cannot go through the door of the storage room. This small observation can help you save a lot of time and money.

Consider the Fuel-Source

If you categorize forklifts by fuel source, you can divide them into three parts:

  1. Electrical Forklifts
  2. LPG Forklifts
  3. Diesel Forklifts

To decide which fuel-source is the most suitable for your business, you will first have to define the type of forklift you need. If you are going to do most of the work indoors and in small rooms then it is highly recommended that you go for Electrical forklifts. These forklifts produce zero emissions, which makes them a great option for indoor projects. If you are looking for power, then you can go with diesel forklifts. These forklifts produce emissions but can be used indoors as well if the area has ventilation. For other outdoor projects, you can simply go with LPG forklifts that are easier to refuel.

Consider Hiring a Driver

If there is no one in your staff who knows how to handle a forklift, then it is advised that you consider hiring a driver aka forklift operator. Forklifts are not easy to use, and only an expert can handle them properly. If you want to get the job done efficiently without any damages, then it is best you ask the company to lend you a driver.

 

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A childhood in Kansas, college in California where she met her early mentor, Leigh Lytle spent 15 years in the Federal Reserve Banking System and is now the 1st woman President & CEO of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association. Join us to hear about her ambition to be a great leader.