With the rise of e-commerce and a growing internet presence, businesses that were once considered niche are now booming. This also means that warehouses and storage centers are becoming increasingly indispensable.
The demand for such facilities has increased so much that many companies are investing in forklift operators to help them keep up with their expanding businesses.
So, if you own a warehouse, you’re most likely aware of how vital a forklift can be in a warehouse or storage center. But before making the final decision to visit a forklift rental near me, there are some essential features to consider first:
1. Safety Features
Before even considering renting a forklift, it’s essential to look into the safety features of the model you’re feeling, such as:
Braking Systems
Forklifts must come with a foot-operated parking brake and a parking brake. The difference is that the parking brake is used when the forklift is parked on an incline to prevent the forklift from rolling downhill.
Load-Sensing Warning Lights
These lights are triggered when a forklift’s forks are over-loaded, meaning a forklift is lifting more than it can handle. Doing so is incredibly dangerous and could severely damage the forklift.
2. Load-Carrying Capacity
Before you even consider renting a forklift, you’ll want to consider the load-carrying capacity. The load-carrying power refers to how much weight can be placed on the forks of a forklift at one time. This is important if you use the forklift to transport heavy and bulky materials from one place to another.
3. Speed and Maneuverability
Speed and maneuverability refer to how quickly a forklift can go and how easily it can turn corners and navigate obstacles.
The speed of a forklift is measured in miles per hour (MPH), with the most common rate being around 6-9 MPH. This speed is slow enough to make turning corners easy but fast enough to move materials quickly.
The turning radius is the next thing to consider when looking at a forklift’s maneuverability. The turning radius is how far the forklift can turn in one place. Forklifts with smaller turning radii will be easier to make turns with but will also be less efficient for transporting materials.
4. Offroad Capabilities
All forklifts are not created equal, and there are different types of forklifts designed for specific types of terrain.
If you’re working in an indoor environment, you probably want to look into renting a standard forklift. These are the most common types of forklifts, and they are designed to be used indoors. These forklifts have large pneumatic tires, which allow them to roll easily over smooth floors.
When you have to drive a forklift over rough terrain or outdoor surfaces, you probably want to look into a rough terrain forklift. These forklifts have smaller, robust tires. This allows them to roll easily over concrete and asphalt but gives them the strength to drive over rough terrain.
5. Controls and Responsiveness of the Forklift
The next thing to consider when renting a forklift is how easy the controls are to use. Some forklifts have complex controls that require the operator to use two hands to operate. Others are designed with one-handed operation in mind.
Nonetheless, you need to rent a forklift with responsive controls. This ensures that the forklift responds quickly to your movements so you can maneuver quickly and efficiently.
Visit a Forklift Rental Near Me Today
When you have to lift heavy objects regularly, renting a forklift is more cost-effective than buying one. But whether you’ll need to rent a forklift once or several times is up to you and your business needs.
You also need to determine what kind of usage frequency your business will require and whether there are any special requirements such as indoor usage or narrow spaces that might present challenges in some places.
