Whether you’re running a business or just looking for good equipment to handle your hobbies, one of the cornerstones of industrial machines is the forklift. Forklifts are one of the most common machines that you’ll find in an industrial setting. They are useful for lifting heavy items, moving large amounts of items, and arranging large goods. The forklift is ubiquitous in industrial settings because it is so useful. Because of their ubiquity and their incredible usefulness, there are many different kinds of forklifts. They are available with different numbers of wheels, different counter weights, different heights, and much else. Each different kind of forklift has advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of when you’re shopping for a used lift.
Number of Wheels
Typically, forklifts come in three- and four-wheeled varieties. The three-wheeled varieties are known for their manoeuvrability; the four-wheeled varieties are known for their balance. With a three-wheeled forklift, you can move in and around stacks in the warehouse. They have a wheel at the back that does the steering, so you can make hairpin turns and navigate the warehouse. However, that single wheel at the back means that you have to sacrifice some stability. Three-wheeled used forklifts for sale in Sydney are useful for light to medium loads. They’re also useful for anyone who has a crowded warehouse. If you are looking to move heavy loads, you need a forklift with four wheels. The forklift with four wheels is more difficult to steer but the load is more evenly distributed.
The Counterweight
Forklifts have to be counterweighted to avoid catastrophe. If your forklift is not properly counterweighted, a load on the front of your forklift that’s too heavy can cause your lift to tip over. That’s why lifts are counterweighted to keep them balanced. There are two basic kinds of counterweights: electrical and engine. Electric counterweights aren’t even really counterweights; they operate the hydraulics and distribution of weight on the forklift so that the forklift stays balanced. An engine counterweight balances the forklift by balancing the weight of the load against the weight of the engine.
The Height
The height of your lift is important as well. There are some forklifts that only lift a few metres above the ground. If you have a small warehouse or don’t have anything up high, that’s probably fine. However, you have to be aware of what you need from your lift before you buy one.
A used forklift is a great way to get a forklift that will provide you with the ability to do good work at a great price. You shouldn’t buy just any used lift, though. If you buy from a private seller, you might not have any recourse if the lift is not what you paid for. If it malfunctions or doesn’t fit your needs, you won’t be able to return it or have it repaired. If you buy from a reliable industrial parts seller, you can trust that you are getting a great machine. There are many different places you can find great lifts throughout the country.