​A forklift’s capacity is affected by the size of the load so knowing how high you need to lift the material and the dimensions of the load are important.

Do you have a loading dock or need to go into a shipping container or trailer? The answers to these questions will affect the size, lifting capacity and maneuverability of the forklift you need.

There are several important things to keep in mind regarding how you store your material when choosing the right forklift for the job. Is the area well ventilated? Are there concerns with explosive material or environments? Are you in a warehouse where employees need to be lifted to break bulk and select merchandise? Do you move heavy loads in uneven terrain? Is it temperature controlled? How much room do you have to move around in? All these concerns factor into what forklift will be the best fit for your needs.

Height and load size determines the capacity of a forklift needed. For example, a larger load size will move the lift´s center of gravity which reduces the lifting capacity.

Is it smooth and level or rough and uneven? If you work outdoors or on uneven surfaces you’ll want a pneumatic tire on your forklift or you may need to look for a rough-terrain lift. Rough terrain lifts are equipped with additional suspension capability and are generally wider than the standard forklift. This provides a more stable work platform with a lower center of gravity.

Deciding what you want for options will depend on your needs versus luxury.

• Side shift
• Forklift positioner
• Attachments
• Fork Length

There are many types of lifts for a mulititude of tasks. Here at Forklift Select, we carry 17 different types of lifts. Take a look at our Types Of Forklifts page to find out more about each type of lift, and to see a photo of each.

Class 1:  Electric Motor Rider Forklifts

These lifts are electric-motor rider trucks. Trucks in this class may have 3 or 4 wheels with cushion (solid) or pneumatic (air-filled tires. Includes both sit down and stand up types.

Class 2: Electric Narrow Aisle Forklifts

These lifts have electric-motor and are used for narrow aisle or inventory stock/order picking applications. They have solid tires. This class includes reach and deep (double) reach trucks as well as order selector trucks which are also known as “order pickers” or “cherry pickers.” Other narrow aisle trucks include stand up straddles, swing masts, sideloaders and turret trucks.

Class 3: Electric Hand Pallet Jacks or Walkie/RiderJack Forklifts

Electric or hand-powered pallet jacks are primarily used for loading and unloading trailers and for short horizontal material handling. Low lift electric hand pallet jacks are also known as “walkies.” They have solid tires. They use pallet forks or a platform to haul loads several inches off the ground.

Class 4: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Cushion Tire Forklifts

Traditional lifts powered by either liquid propane gas(LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline and used primarily indoors.

Class 5: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Pneumatic Tire Forklifts

Traditional lifts powered by either liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline or diesel fuel and used primarily outdoors.

Class 6: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractor Forklifts

These lifts are sit-down riders or tow tractor forklifts and are supplied with electric or internal combustion engines. Solid or pneumatic tires.

Class 7: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

These lifts have pneumatic tires and are almost exclusively powered by diesel engines and used outdoors on rough terrain. Typical applications include agriculture, logging and construction.

Internal Combustion Forklifts

• Operate on gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas
• Primarily used outdoors, limited indoor use under certain circumstances
• Able to operate in various conditions
• No batteries to recharge
• Some can lift over 50,000 pounds
• Lifespan depends on application, use and how you maintain it
• Noise emissions meet or exceed ANSI B56.1 Standards

Electric Forklifts

• Typically less maintenance than an IC forklift
• Little emission sounds so quieter than an IC forklift
• No fuel-storage required
• A charging station is necessary
• Batteries are large and heavy to change out.
• No tailpipe emissions
• Lifespan depends on application, use and how you maintain it
• Better option for smaller, confined spaces
• Load capacity from 3,000 to 12,000 lb. capacity

The majority of lifts are specifically designed for a particular type of tire, and the right tire impacts the handling and safety of your forklift. When choosing the right tire, the most common options are pneumatic tires and cushion tires. These 2 types of tires have big differences that should be considered when deciding which tire works best for your needs.

Forklift Cushion Tires

Made of smooth, solid rubber that are attached to a round metal band. Sit down rider (sits low to the ground) allows for small turning radiuses and can maneuver in tight aisle spaces. Electric forklifts (i.e. order pickers and reach trucks) only come in cushion tires.

Forklift Pneumatic Tires

Made of treaded rubber and filled with compressed air. There are two types of Pneumatic tires: solid and air. Solids are made solely of rubber and designed to prevent leakage and puncture wounds when driving on surface that may have sharp objects. Airs are made with less rubber material and typically foam filled with liquid polyurethane material to provide more durability when driving over rough terrain.

There are 3 main types of fuel for running a lift: Gas, Diesel and Electric. It’s a common misconception that the only major differences between fuel types are: cost of forklift, operating costs and environmental impact. Of course, both cost and environmental impact certainly play a big part in making the right decision on which fuel type is right for the material handling equipment your business will be using. But the fuel type you need could depend entirely on the kind of business you run.

LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) Forklifts

Gas forklifts are the most common type of forklift.
Pros: They can carry heavy loads, easy to refuel, low maintenance and have a longer life span.
Cons: Limited power and require a propane tank to provide fuel.

Electric Forklifts

Electric forklifts are ideal for smaller warehouses and facilities.
Pros: Smaller in size, can be used in a non-ventilated closed environments and are quiet when operating.
Cons: Downtime when you need to recharge the machine and intermittent use can be detrimental to battery life.

Diesel Forklifts

Diesel forklifts are very powerful.
Pros: Low upkeep, easy to fuel and reliable.
Cons: Has emissions and are noisy.

• Do you need to stack materials?
• Will the forklift be used indoors or outdoors and what will the environment be like?
• What types of materials will you be moving with the forklift?
• How much is a typical load weight that you will be moving?
• What is your maximum rack height?
• What is the maximum lift height?
• What capacity forklift do you need?
• What is the width of the aisles the forklift has to go through?
• How often will you be  using the forklift?

Our team of forklift experts are always on hand to answer your questions, contact us today!

• Forklifts are an important investment for any business. and there are a few general rules to keep in mind when assessing the price of a forklift.  It’s important to be aware of what you’re paying for, from upfront costs, to maintenance and the overall cost of ownership. Our forklift information guide gives you some key points to keep in mind when buying a forklift.As there is such a wide range of manufactureres and extras, it’s hard to determine the right price. But here are some key points to help guide your decision.
  • The higher the capacity and forklift height, the more expensive the forklift will be.
  • Top-of-the-line forklift brands will be more expensive than lesser-known brands, but their technology advantages usually offer greater productivity and reliability.
  • Electric forklifts are generally more expensive upfront than internal combustion forklifts with identical specifications.
  • Pneumatic tires are generally more expensive than cushion tires.

  Check out our current New & Used Forklift For Sale to find the best forklift at the best price!

• Yes, we do! Find out more about our forklift financing. It’s fast and easy!