If you run or work in an industrial setting, you know the real workhorse in your environment is the forklift. It keeps your operations running smoothly, helping to lift, move, and manage the materials in your industrial setting. 

What makes industrial forklifts so valuable is their ability to handle a variety of work situations. For this reason, it’s important to get the right machine for your workspace. 

To get the right type of industrial forklift for your setting, you need to understand some of your needs. How big of an area are you working in? How much weight are you lifting? How high does it need to be lifted? What kind of surfaces will the forklift work on? Will your forklift need to navigate any small aisles or workspaces?

Once you can answer questions like these, then the best industrial forklift for your workspace is available. Read on to learn about some different types of industrial forklifts. 

Internal Combustion Forklifts

One important consideration for your forklift is what powers the forklift. Internal combustion forklifts have engines that get powered by a fuel source. They could run on gas, propane, or diesel. 

Typically, internal combustion forklifts are bigger as their power source allows them to lift heavier loads. This type of forklift is nice on a job site because it doesn’t need to get charged. Instead, it’s only a matter of refueling and the machine can run continuously without having downtime to recharge. 

One factor to consider with an internal combustion machine is the exhaust. This might not be the best machine for your needs in a small or enclosed work area because of the exhaust it creates. 

Electric Forklifts

Electric forklifts are popular choices in an industrial setting. They come in a variety of sizes, both for the weight they can lift and the width of the machine. For example, you might have some narrow aisles that require a small footprint machine to fit. 

Electric forklifts run by battery. The machine simply needs to be plugged in to recharge the battery and it’s ready to go. The nice feature of an electric forklift is that it has no exhaust. This makes it particularly useful in a closed warehouse or industrial settings. 

The electric forklift can be fitted with specific tires for your needs whether it has a solid cushion tire or a pneumatic tire.  

Material Handling

There are a variety of different industrial forklifts built specifically for the handling of materials. Some of these include:

  • Pallet jacks
  • Electric jacks
  • Stockpilers
  • Walkie stackers

These machines are unique in that they are built for moving materials, often in warehouse settings. They may not look like a traditional forklift, yet are built for material handling often in smaller settings.

Know Your Industrial Forklift Needs

The key to getting just the right industrial forklift is to know your unique needs for the machine. Once you understand how you will be using the machine, how much you need to lift, and how high you need to lift it, we can find the right type of forklift for you.

Whether you need an internal combustion machine, an electric forklift of one of our material handlers, we can help. Contact us today to get more information on our fleet of industrial forklifts.