Which Type of Forklift Is Best for Warehouse Operations?

Which Type of Forklift Is Best for Warehouse Operations?
  • Opening Intro -

    Forklifts are among the most critical tools in the arsenal of a warehouse team.

    Choosing the right type will make all the difference between smooth sailing operations and a frustrating struggle to keep up with orders and maintain efficiency.

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Thus, which type of forklift is best for warehouse operations is a serious question that every manager or owner must consider before investing. Choosing the wrong equipment wastes time and money that most small business warehouses or competitive businesses can’t afford to make.

Electric Rider Forklifts

Anyone who has worked in a retail or warehouse location is likely familiar with this forklift variety. Electric rider forklifts receive their name from their design, which allows the driver to stand and ride via a platform behind the prongs and protective cage. A few different sizes are available to accommodate widths of aisles for larger and smaller operations.

Because of their relatively small size and ease of use, they’re very accessible, either new or refurbished. What’s more, since they’re so common, refurbished batteries of electric riders are also affordable and available.

Additionally, refurbished forklifts of this variety are often available from local businesses near your warehouse. Acquiring and fixing up a forklift can save time that the manufacturer would normally need to ship a new model out to you.

Used machinery tends to be significantly cheaper than buying new as well. So, regardless of the type of operation, just about every business can use at least one of these reliable options.

Large Truck Forklifts

The next size up from a standard rider is the truck variety forklift. Essentially, it uses the same technology as a rider but in a large-scale machine. Truck forklifts also feature the standard vertical double-parallel-pronged layout.

What makes them different is the inclusion of cabs on their right sides, from which operators control them. Additionally, most truck-type forklifts feature four tires spread across a standard truck-style axle, allowing for better control, albeit a less tight turning radius.

As such, truck types are ideal for lifting heavy palettes in wide-open spaces. Generally, these forklifts are best for operating in open bay areas or carrying palettes stacked around a yard. They’re too large to traverse the paths between racks in most warehouses.

Reach Truck Forklifts

Deciding which type of forklift is best for warehouse operations primarily comes down to the size of the average palette and how hard to access they are. For an expansive warehouse with plenty of floor room, something a little more heavy-duty may be essential.

As the name suggests, reach trucks have a different design from the usual vertical lift of riders and truck forklifts. It features a crane design instead, which allows for access to medium- and high-shelf palettes. In addition, the extra engine power and strength of the crane arm enable them to move denser loads with ease. When conventional forklifts won’t work, reach trucks may be the correct choice.

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