Diesel forklifts

Diesel forklifts are made by various manufacturers such as Toyota Material Handling, USA. Forklift trucks are usually either powered by diesel (internal combustion), LNG, or electric batteries. Forklifts are extremely useful, and are one of the more universally used types of material handling equipment in warehouses, construction environments, loading docks, and shipping ports. Diesel forklift trucks can lift anywhere from 2,000 pounds (for lifting and moving pallets) all the way up to 100,000 pounds (i.e. container handlers for moving and stacking 20 & 40ft ISO containers).

Diesel forklift trucks are used in outdoor settings compared to electric forklift/pallet jacks which are typically used in indoor settings. Diesel trucks cannot be used in an indoor setting because of the dangerous emissions from the exhaust system. The combustion fumes are extremely dangerous to the health of your warehouse employees. Inhaling fumes can also lead to death and/or carbon monoxide poisoning. Diesel trucks typically come with pneumatic tires, which allow for heavier lifting loads compared to electric forklifts. Electric forklifts usually have cushion/rubber tires. Pneumatic wheeled forklift trucks have a much greater ground clearing capacity, which is extremely useful if you are working on asphalt pavement or unpaved roads (using rough terrain forklift trucks).

If you are lifting large heavier loads be sure to purchase machines with a counter weight balance. Counterweight balanced trucks have specific weights on the machine which effectively will lower the center of gravity for the machine. It is essential that you purchase the right machine, as there are many different styles of diesel forklift trucks with various attachments. For instance, you will not want to purchase a machine meant for unloading and moving 100,000 lb ISO containers if you are simply unloading pallets from a regular 53' truck.

Diesel forklift trucks are extremely versatile especially with the different attachments you can purchase for your unit. There are over 50 different types of attachments you can buy for your Diesel forklift truck. Some of the more useful ones include:

Fork clamps. Clamp forks are useful if you need to unload trucks which are floor loaded. In an effort to increase truck density, many manufacturers are now loading goods directly onto the floor of trucks, instead of using pallets. Using clamp forks is a good idea, so that you do not damage inventory by accidentally piercing the cardboard box. You can also use clamp forks to move foam, whitegoods, cotton bales, wood, etc.

Side-shifters. Side shifter attachments are useful if you need to move boxes in a side to side (lateral) motion without having to reposition your forklift truck. Rotating pallet clamp forks allow you to invert or move loads in a circular axis which is useful if you need to handle goods such as barrels (although it is much easier if you have a drum clamp). This is very useful if you have very tight aisle ways in your warehouse.

Fork extensions. Extend-able forks are useful if you need to load and positioning pallets in a double deep configuration. Double deep stacking allows you to place standard 40” X 48” pallets two levels deep if you do not have room to access the pallet shelf from an adjacent aisle. Certain forklifts also have articulating arms which allow you to move pallets in both a horizontal and vertical orientation.

Cherry baskets. If you need to use your forklift as a man lift be sure you have a cherry picker. It is extremely dangerous to have your staff standing directly on the forklift tines as a means of being lifted up into the air.

If you are going to consider purchasing a forklift truck, you can contact each dealer for financing arrangements. Most fork lift manufacturers typically have their own in-house manufacturing firm. Financing is a good option compared to buying forklift trucks outright, as you can conserve your cash flow. Financing also gives you the flexibility of being able to build in your PM (preventative maintenance) costs right into your monthly payment. Typically forklift truck leases range anywhere from 12 to 60 months.

Most material handling companies will offer their own in-house financing so that you can find the best deal possible. Most companies will offer operating leases, capital leases, and master lease schedules. Master lease schedules are convenient if you need a large amount of equipment delivered over time. Master leases allow you to obtain credit lines with the least amount of paperwork possible. If you need to obtain financing, be sure you check your company D&B score in advance. If you are a smaller company, you may also need to personally guarantee the loan. The necessity for PG requirements will vary among financing companies. Important factors regarding the need for personal guarantees are usually based on the D&B score, company revenue, business type (i.e. corporation vs. sole proprietorship) and the age of your business.

Diesel Forklifts are made by various companies. Some companies make mostly smaller lifts, while others make telehandlers and larger units for working with shipping containers. Construction companies also make hybrid units, known as rough terrain forklifts. The major makers of forklift equipment include: Big Joe, Caterpillar, Clark, Crown, Hyster, Komatsu, Linde, Mitsubishi, Raymond, Taylor, Toyota, and Yale.

It is important that your forklift operators are properly trained. Forklift accidents occur every year in warehouses, and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to machines, inventory, warehouse racking, and personnel. Forklift training classes are available through online and in person training. The manufacturer of your lift truck will most likely also offer training options as well.  OSHA requires also state that all forklift drivers must be properly licensed and wear appropriate protective gear.

Tailgating is a very important factor which needs to be addressed in busy warehouse situations. During busy times, it may be very tempting to follow closely to the vehicle in front. You should never be closer than 20 feet to the rear of the next forklift truck. This is very important because you need to be in a position where you can safely avoid any upcoming hazards having enough space in front of you is important so that you can quickly maneuver, in case the vehicle in front of you makes any abrupt movements. Accidents can easily happen if the forklift truck in front accidentally drops the load. According to OSHA records, forklift truck drivers have been seriously injured or killed when they are accidentally struck from loads which have fallen from other forklift trucks.

Diesel Forklift PM Schedules. Performing preventative maintenance is extremely important if you are looking to maximize up-time and lower your per hour running costs of your material handling equipment. Forklifts PM work includes inspecting critical components for wear and tear such as your pneumatic forklift wheels, steer axles, and fork tines. It is also important to check fluid levels for your hydraulic systems (forks, brakes), motor oil, etc. Depending on the number of forklift trucks in your fleet, you may want to perform regular PM work based on forklift hours or you may want to first perform fluid analysis. If you plan on performing maintenance on an in-house basis you can also send your staff to the factory for machine specific training. These courses are held various times through out the year. Another benefit to attending these training courses is that your mechanics will be able to obtain access to technical documents such as parts cross-referencing referencing spreadsheets.

If you are going to perform your own maintenance and repair, you can purchase forklift parts right over the Internet. You can purchase them from dealer approved resellers or you can purchase them from aftermarket dealers as well. Certain parts such as wheels are made by many aftermarket. Other parts such as control circuits may be proprietary and you will need to purchase OEM parts. When comparing forklifts for purchase, you should pay attention to maintenance and operating costs, in addition to the price of the machine. Certain manufacters tend to have higher costs for OEM replacement parts.

If you need to purchase parts for your forklift you will need to have the part number available. You can find the part number from your manual. Certain parts are actually made by a third part, and it helps to have the “real” part number in addition to the manufacturer assigned part number. If you do not have this information, it can be looked up from the model number of your diesel forklift. You can find the serial number in your manual, or on a small plate which is attached to the chassis of your machine.

How often you need to replace parts will depend on factors such as how often your machine is used, and how careful your drivers are.  Some of the parts you may need to replace over time include fans, mirrors, fork lift canopies, lift chains, diesel motors, electrical components, filters, fork calipers, fuel pumps, operating manuals, starters, steer axles, and forklift seats. If you need parts on a emergency basis, they can also be sent overnight to your location if your order before the shipping cut-off time. This can be a good way to acquire parts if you do not have a relationship with your existing forklift truck dealership.

Buying used forklifts can also be a good idea if you do not want to spend the money on new equipment. Be extremely cautious if you are considering used equipment. Forklifts go through a lot of wear and tear, as soon units are used as much as 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. Be sure that you obtain a record of all previous service work for the particular machine you are interested in buying. This is extremely important in helping you determine whether or not the machine was abused or neglected by the previous owner. If you are not positive about the condition of the machine, you can also purchase a third party inspection of the unit as well. You can also purchase factory certified used or refurbished forklift trucks. Factory certified units will usually come with a warranty as well.