Did you know that the average forklift costs anywhere from $20,000-$50,000? If you need a forklift for your business but don’t want to buy one, you should consider renting a forklift instead!

Renting a forklift is best for those that don’t need the forklift long term, only need it at certain times of the year, don’t want to worry about the hassle of financing, and don’t want to be responsible for upkeeping the maintenance. 

If those benefits of renting a forklift sound like what you need for your business, keep reading for a guide on how to choose the best forklift.

Consider the Load Capacity and Materials

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing which forklift to rent is the load capacity. What do you plan to lift with the forklift? Are you lifting metal, wood pallets, or plastic containers? What is the maximum weight that you need to lift?

You don’t want to make the mistake of choosing a forklift that is not able to lift the weight that you need it to. The materials that you plan to lift also matter because you may need a special forklift.

Know the Lift Height Needed

In addition to knowing how much weight you need the forklift to handle, you also need to consider how high the loads will need lifting. Here are some different height considerations that you should make before renting a forklift:

  • The average height of lifted loads
  • Maximum height of lifted loads
  • Building height constraints (fans, water sprinklers, lights)

The forklift that you will rent will depend on how high it needs to lift loads. The amount of width available for the forklift will also be important to consider.

Consider Your Working Environment

Do you plan on using this forklift inside or outside? Is the floor surface smooth or bumpy? The type of work environment that you have will be a huge factor in the type of forklift you should choose to rent.

For example, if you will be working outside, you may want to choose a diesel forklift that can easily be refueled. If you plan to use the forklift indoors, a rechargeable forklift might work better for you. 

Choose the Right Tires

Making sure that the forklift you rent has the correct tires will help ensure the performance and safety of the forklift. 

For a forklift that will mainly be used outdoors, you will want to make sure that it comes with pneumatic tires. These tires, which are filled with air, will allow your forklift to smoothly go over any bumps on the ground.

If you plan to mainly work inside, cushion tires will be a better choice. These tires are made from rubber and will work better on a smooth surface. 

Guide to Renting a Forklift

Renting a forklift can be better than buying if you don’t need a forklift long-term; you don’t want to worry about maintenance, and you don’t want to deal with financing!

When you are ready to rent a forklift, be sure to keep in mind these important considerations before choosing the one for you. If you are in Nashville, TN, or Fort Worth, TX, contact us to start your rental today.