Forklift user's guide
Many of our customers are highly experienced in using and procuring forklifts, others aren't. If there is anything you might not be sure about, this guide is for you.
What forklift do I need?
Good question! The most important things to consider are:
How heavy? All forklifts have a maximum lifting capacity, so you will need a forklift capable of lifting more than the heaviest item you will need lifting, which includes carrying items from one place to another. 'Ordinary' forklifts are available to lift from 1.5 tonnes to 5 tonnes.
How high? Obviously this means to what height will you need to lift to. For moving pallets or loading lorries from the side almost any truck will do. If you're stacking or putting pallets into racking the lift height is important. Our available lift heights range from 3 metres to 6.5 metres, from the floor to the bottom of the forks.
How high (again)? This time consider any height restrictions in the operating area of the truck, and whether the truck will need to operate inside a shipping container, or under a mezzanine floor etc. Consider the height of any doorways the truck will need to pass through. We offer trucks with a closed height of 2050mm and up. Forklifts that can lift higher will generally be taller, the closed height of a truck that can lift to 6.5m will be 2500mm or more.
A forklift with Full Free Lift (FFL) can raise the forks within the closed height. A truck without FFL increases in overall height if the forks are raised at all. This is important if operating inside a container or underneath a raised floor, a non-FFL truck will get taller when picking up pallets and could cause serious trouble. Specify Full Free Lift for these applications.
What fuel? We offer gas (LPG/Propane), diesel and electric trucks.
Diesel trucks are powerful and are ideal for well-ventilated or outdoor opertaions, especially where there is already a supply of red diesel.
Gas trucks are similarly powerful to diesel and are soot-free, meaning they can be more easily used indoors in moderately ventilated areas. Gas is supplied in bottles fitted to the back of the truck, which are exchanged when empty. 1 bottle should last 1 moderate full shift of use.
Currently, gas forklifts are our most popular type to hire.
Electric trucks have no exhaust and are ideal for use in confined spaces or where cleanliness is essential. Depending on your electricity arrangements they can be very cheap to run, but require regular charging (usually overnight) and require a charging station. Electric forklifts are usually available in smaller capacities than their engine-powered counterparts (1-2 tonnes) and are usually optimised for operating in tight spaces indoors.
Do I need drivers to have a forklift license?
Despite what many people will tell you, a 'forklift license' is NOT a legal requirement. The HSE recommends only that drivers are 'adequately trained', the precise form of this training is up to you. 'Forklift licenses' are however a good way to ensure that drivers are adequately trained in a known and documented way, and is useful to demonstrate that fact to the HSE, insurers etc.
Obviously this isn't everything- if you have any questions then please call us on 01827 313335.
More will be added to this page in time.