A forklift isn’t a one size fits all piece of apparatus, they vary greatly in shape, size, weight, lift capacity and features. If you’re considering buying your first forklift, you will likely have an idea of what you’d like it to be used for and where you’d like to use it. So it’s important you pick the right one with the right specs for the job.

Here, we’ve highlighted some points to consider before you take the plunge and invest:

Where will it be used?

Is the forklift going to be used indoors in a warehouse? Or outside in a yard? Or a bit of both? This is an important aspect to consider because different forklifts perform better outside than in and vice versa. 

How often will it be used?

Do you plan to use your forklift around the clock? Or just a couple of days a week? If it will get some intensive use, you need to make sure you buy a forklift that can handle everything that’s thrown at it and is as reliable as possible.

What surfaces will it be used on?

Will it be a smooth warehouse floor? Or sand or dirt? Different forklifts are designed to operate on different surfaces, so to ensure optimal efficiency you need to make sure your forklift is up to the task of working wherever you need it to.

How big is your space?

Your truck needs to accommodate the space, not the other way around. There’s no point buying a forklift you won’t be able to fit down your aisles or around your facility. If you have a tight or narrow space it might be worth considering a reach truck to gain access. 

What will you use it for?

If you’re planning to use your forklift to reach particularly high shelves in your warehouse, then a reach truck might be worth considering. Alternatively, do you need to lift extremely heavy loads? Then a counterbalance forklift might be the one for you.