How to Buy a Fork Truck
When moving large parcels and boxes, the best equipment for the job is a forklift truck. Utilizing counterbalancing weighting and a hydraulic, forked lifting device, forklifts or fork trucks provide the perfect tools necessary for lifting awkwardly and heavy parcels and boxes. Buying a forklift truck requires you to specify the type of forklift you're looking for, as well as a specific manufacturer and distributor from which top purchase the device.
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Instructions
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Determine the type of forklift truck you'd like to purchase. For indoor use, you will need a clean-burning propane-fueled or electric forklift or excellent ventilation. For outdoor use, a gas or diesel power forklift truck will provide the most power.
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Identify a distributor and dealership that produces the type of forklift for which you are shopping. For example, Nissan and Komatsu produce excellent electric forklift trucks, while Clark and Crown specialize in gas and diesel forklifts. Most corporate sites--including those mentioned--provide dealership locating search mechanisms.
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Visit a local dealership to test drive several forklift trucks. Though some forklifts have transitioned to a front-wheel steering drive, most still operate with rear-wheel steering drives, making the maneuverability of a forklift quite different than that of a standard four-wheel motorized vehicle.
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Consult with the dealer regarding vehicle specifications such as horsepower, lifting capacity, durability, as well as purchasing specifications such as price, warranties, maintenance agreements and upkeep.
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Finalize your purchase by securing a proof of purchase. Though forklift trucks are motorized vehicles, because they are not road bound, they do not require a vehicle title or registration. They should, however, be added to your personal or business insurance plan.
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Tips & Warnings
Shop for used forklifts using any number of online forklift seller consortia sites such as eLiftTruck or Repolift (see Resources).
References
Resources
- Photo Credit forklift image by Michael Cornelius from Fotolia.com
