Forklifts come in a variety of sizes and shapes, each built for a specific purpose. In a previous blog, we had looked at some of the different forklift types and their applications. If you are a first-time buyer of forklifts in New Zealand or someone looking to rent, you can make a more informed decision if you know some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Warehouse & Counterbalance Forklifts
These classic front-loader machines are a popular choice in warehousing, storage facilities, factories and a host of other spaces.
Pros:
Quick transportation of palletised goods
Good load-bearing capacity (especially in the case of counterbalance forklifts)
Relatively straightforward to use
Cons:
May not be suitable for narrow aisles where turning is needed
Long or unwieldy objects may not pass through smaller entrances
Soft tyres are not suitable for external use
Outdoor / Industrial Forklifts
These larger rough terrain forklifts can be crucial at construction sites, and factories or industries that produce large and heavy goods.
Pros:
Greater load-bearing capacity
Threaded pneumatic tyres for better traction on uneven surfaces
Quick transportation of heavy goods within the same site
Cons:
Not suitable for indoor use
Drivers need a forklift licence
Higher upfront cost for purchase
Specialised Warehouse Forklifts
Order pickers, pallet jacks and walkie stackers are especially useful in storage facilities with multiple products.
Pros:
Easy access to high shelves
Built for narrow aisles
Small turning radius
Pallet jacks are an easy and cheap way to move palletised goods; they also don’t require a driver licence
Cons:
Not suitable for moving multiple pallets over a long distance
Not designed to take heavy loads
Side Loader Forklifts
These nifty forklifts are specifically designed to carry longer objects like steel bars or timber.
Pros:
Easy movement of large objects through entrances
Built for loading and unloading objects in narrow aisles
Cons:
Large turning radius when loaded with long products
As much as we love to talk about these machines, we realise it may be a bit too much for you. If you would like to know more about specific machines and whether they suit your specific requirements, reach out to the forklifts specialists on our team. We have assisted hundreds of companies to find the right forklifts in NZ to rent or buy a machine, and we would love to do the same for you.
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