How to choose a good cheap forklift

03/08/2021 -
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Forklifts, also known as forklifts, are popular lifting equipment with diverse applications in manufacturing and goods storage operations. In the era of the market economy, there are many manufacturers as well as distribution agents in Vietnam, so choosing a good cheap forklift is not easy. Below I want to walk with you through the 8 steps to choosing a forklift from a forklift expert!

To know exactly what the main purpose of your forklift purchase is, you need to figure out one or a few key operating functions for your future forklift. What you can buy a forklift for: moving goods, lifting goods, stacking goods

Forklifts, also known as forklifts, are popular lifting equipment with diverse applications in manufacturing and goods storage operations. In the era of the market economy, there are many manufacturers as well as distribution agents in Vietnam, so choosing a good cheap forklift is not easy.

8 Steps to Forklift Selection by a Forklift Expert!
Outline the main operating functions of the forklift

To know exactly what the main purpose of your forklift purchase is, you need to figure out one or a few key operating functions for your future forklift. You can buy a forklift to:

– moving goods

– lifting goods

– stacking goods

– Towing and gathering goods…

A forklift can perform all of the above functions well, but should not buy such a multi-purpose forklift because:

– large investment costs

– not using the full function of the car -ah redundant, wasteful

– multiple functions mean complex operation

– Versatile means expensive in maintenance, difficult in repair and replacement

– and most of all, there are no workers to operate.

So, before doing any action, think carefully and clearly define the main purpose when buying your forklift to accurately answer the question: what is the main task of your forklift?

Consider the main working environment of the forklift

The working environment of the forklift is quite important because an electric forklift cannot operate at full capacity outdoors, especially in a humid environment!

Seriously consider how the forklift you buy will operate many hours of the day in an environment to make the right choice, here are my 7 sincere tips:

– diesel forklifts in particular and internal combustion engine forklifts in general work very well outdoors

– Electric forklifts work more suitable in warehouses, dry flat yards

– hand pallet trucks, 3-wheel forklifts, stand-up forklifts, reach trucks work great between shelves

– diesel forklifts cannot be used in metal processing plants especially incineration or heating furnaces but electric forklifts can

– Manual forklifts are cheap, so the productivity is very small compared to automatic forklifts

– Do not choose semi-automatic forklifts both to move goods and to lift goods

– VNA forklift can operate flexibly in the aisle of 1.7m

Selecting the main engine and fuel source to run the forklift

A good forklift needs a good engine, a good engine needs the right fuel!

Currently there are many types of engines and engine origins from different countries, I will list here 6 types of engines in order from high-end to popular:

– The most classy is the Mazda engine from the US – this type is only available in Hyster forklifts made in the USA

– The second is the Mazda engine from Europe such as Finland, Canada

– The third is the Kubota engine made in Japan, India

– The fourth is Yanmar engine made in Japan, Thailand

– The 5th is the Isuzu engine made in China with Japanese technology

– Finally, the Xinchai engine originated in China.

Next, I’m going to choose the right fuel for the forklift!

With electric forklifts, it is clear that using electric fuel is charged from a dry battery or water.

What fuel is used for forklifts with internal combustion engines?

– Diesel fuel is a popular fuel, saving costs but leading to environmental pollution

– Gasoline fuel costs a little more than oil and emits less smoke

– LPG liquefied gas fuel is very good, the level of smoke and dust is controlled even in well-ventilated warehouses

Compare the lifting capacity and the maximum lifting height of the forklift

Why compare lifting capacity and maximum lifting height without selecting each one?

The answer is to reduce the load when lifting – a lot of you forget this, it will be very dangerous and easy to cause unsafe work by accidents: falling, breaking the lifting frame, turning the car upside down or more dangerous. cargo down to the driver’s cab.

First, determine what the maximum lifting height you need is.

Then calculate the exact load of 1 pallet of your heaviest goods and report back to me, there are 2 ways for me to give you the exact number based on the 2 criteria above:

– 1 is to compare the specifications of the forklift truck on the load reduction provided by the manufacturer to the dealer

– 2 is to contact my friend who is an expert at Hyster’s house to calculate

Usually calculate one and a half times for your maximum needs so it can increase safety and reduce risk, for example, if you need to lift 1 ton to 3m high, choose a 1.5 ton forklift with 3m height that’s ok.

According to the principle an oil forklift can work continuously 24/24h, 7 days a week and 365 days a month; A similar electric forklift can work continuously for about 6 hours / full charge of the battery and if there are enough spare batteries, it can operate continuously.

However, according to my experience as well as the recommendations of the company, you should only let the forklift work for a maximum of 16 hours / day, equivalent to 2 long shifts of workers. For reasons:

– ensure the driver’s rest and recovery time

– Ensure safety by periodic inspection and maintenance of the vehicle

– Extends engine life from full-discharge operation

Or to put it more simply – machines need rest too!

Check the aisle width & turning area of the forklift

Normally, forklifts operate comfortably within a aisle of 3.2m for sit-down electric forklifts, 2.8m for 3-wheel stand trucks, 2.6m for reachtrucks and 1.8m for VNA forklifts.

However, in order to avoid buying a car that won’t work and to ensure your forklift’s operation is easy, you need to accurately and realistically measure the aisle width and turning area.

That is the minimum distance between two rows of shelves – the width of the aisle, the space between the two ends of the two rows of shelves – the turning area.

Rebalance the maximum budget spent on buying forklifts

Usually everyone wants to buy a good forklift at a cheap price, but not everyone is good at calculating the cost of a forklift within 4 years as well as the economic problem when investing in a forklift. Right.

For the most general view, calculate the total cost you will spend on your forklift over 4 years including:

– Initial investment costs

– operating costs in

– cost of consumables

– cost of repair, maintenance, replacement

– provisions for labor risks and unexpected replacements.

From that, it is easy to see that buying a Chinese forklift is very cheap and Hyster forklift (USA) is very expensive, but the total cost in 4 years of a Chinese forklift is 3-5 times more expensive than a car. lift Hyster (USA)!

Other requirements

Finally, don’t forget the uniqueness of your industry application and personalize your forklift with some accompanying attackment:

– more rotating

– staple

– tile clamps

– translate as

– go under (container)….