Is It Time for a New Forklift? 3 Ways to Know

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As our readers will notice, we got a brand new website this year! We’re grateful for our revamped online presence and the opportunity it gives us to provide better services to our clients. We hope you love the new website as much as we do!

HTX Material Handling wouldn’t exist without a loyal client base. From all of us, thank you for trusting us to provide the best forklifts and service in the business! We plan to continue bringing you the latest and best in the future and we’re committed as an organization to continuous improvement.

Every company should be proud to stand behind their products and services. We certainly are! We’re grateful that we can confidently say our machinery is both dependable and perfectly suited to a variety of work environments. We fully stand behind every forklift.

As the holiday season begins, we hope you can take the time to be with your loved ones and enjoy Thanksgiving. Those of us at HTX Material Handling look forward to helping you make this busy season an enjoyable one!

Linde Financial Services has launched an unprecedented leasing program, providing acquisition options for the Linde Series 1202 which have never been offered on Linde’s flagship hydrostatic drive lift trucks.  For organizations utilizing forklift trucks, previously out-of-reach quality is now highly accessible.  The opportunity is now available to add premium quality lift trucks to your fleet for the price of a lesser competitor.

Linde’s new 1202 Series represents the latest generation of their 100% hydrostatic drive system utilizing hydraulic fluid for truck propulsion in lieu of a mechanical powertrain.  This technology provides the most efficient truck, including automatic acceleration and deceleration, with NO brake wear and enhanced tire longevity. Directional changes can be made at ANY speed with no damage to the drive system. These advancements, along with optimized energy consumption, increased handling capacity, and a virtually maintenance-free engine, create the most cost- efficient and productive truck in the industry worldwide.

For many organizations, justifying the acquisition of a truck with such advanced features would have not made economic sense in the recent past. However, the future has now arrived with affordability never before seen from the world’s premier lift truck manufacturer.

The Linde Series 1202 is now an affordable alternative in your supply chain calculations. 

It provides extreme versatility and superior functionality in the following applications:

You now have the ability to be in the driver’s seat with affordable options for your operation.

With the new 1202 Series Leasing Program, there are little to no upfront costs, with the lowest monthly rates available, allowing your increase in productivity to positively flow directly to EBIT.  Additionally, adding significantly reduced fuel spend to the equation, the economics of the Linde 1202 Series are unmatched by any traditional tier one lift truck supplier.

Let’s take a look at how leasing vs. owning offers the better solution to get the trucks you want at the price you need.

Any business regularly engaging palletized material needs a reliable forklift to keep things moving. But as anyone familiar with mechanical technology will admit, not every forklift is capable of the work your operation may require. Certain models are better suited to different environments or jobs than others. Is your current forklift model the right one for the job?

Finding the best forklift for any given job requires taking several factors into account: 1) what powers the machine, 2) how much weight it can lift, 3) what amount of space does it require to safely operate, and the list goes on. Every make and model touts features & benefits to a degree, but before you settle on any one in particular, make sure you understand the best way to meet the unique requirements of your application.

[bctt tweet=”Not all forklifts are created equal. Is your current model best suited for your work environment? Find out here. #HTXMaterialHandling” via=”no”]

How can you best determine the right forklift model for your application? For starters, consider the environment in which you work. A recycling center may want to promote an environmentally friendly focus and consider opting for an electric forklift as opposed to an internal combustion chassis. Alternatively, a warehouse that regularly hauls in freight from outdoors may choose a forklift better suited to outdoor environments and potentially inclement weather. What conditions will your forklift be exposed to?

Second, take a look around your yard or warehouse space. How high are the beam levels in your storage racking? How wide are the aisles? How heavy is the average load, and how far will drivers have to move it? Certain forklift models are designed to reach impressive heights or handle bulkier loads than others. Other models are better suited to outdoor applications with lots of room to maneuver, as opposed to lower capacity forklifts specifically designed to fit down narrow aisles.

Third, consider what type of fuel you can provide. Electric forklifts offer comparable capacities, speeds, and gradeabilities to their LPG & Diesel counterparts. The biggest factor is convenience. Do you have the necessary electrical supply that can support an appropriate charging station? If not, are you able to bring it in or would the infrastructure upgrades be too costly? We can model different scenarios for you and help you arrive at the most intelligent decision.

Forklifts are generally designed with specific work conditions and capacities in mind, and altering the machines is not recommended or, in some cases, not allowed. However, an excellent way to maximize the utility of your forklift is through the use of attachments. These specialized components can extend a machine’s reach, shift a load from side to side, rotate it, dump it, squeeze it, pull it or push it. One potential drawback is the added weight these attachments remove from the overall capacity of your lift.

Be sure you have an engineer accurately calculate the appropriate net capacity with the chosen attachment installed and adhere to all OSHA requirements for the notification of net capacities visible to the operator.

No matter the industry, business owners across the nation continually look for ways to reduce their environmental impact. For many, this is easier said than done. But as you look for ways to recycle your trash or keep your energy usage minimal, don’t forget about the vehicles used in your warehouse. Even the forklifts you use make more of a difference than you might think.

Every organization with material handling as a component of their operation should try to have as little of an environmental impact as possible. Aside from obvious changes like minimizing waste and using less energy, why not try switching to ‘greener’ forklifts too? The Linde EVO Series Forklifts are specially designed to reduce your fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, emission levels, and more! Let’s take a closer look at some of the features that make this model such an excellent choice:

1. Maintenance-Free Braking System
2. Drastically Reduced Fuel Consumption
3. Significantly Lower Emission Levels
4. Longer-Lasting Tires
5. Fewer Maintenance Requirements

Linde forklifts include a specially designed braking system that doesn’t rely on generating friction through conventional mechanical brakes. The system is completely maintenance-free, allowing you to spend your time on more important warehouse tasks.

Pro Tip: The Linde forklifts’ maintenance-free brake system also means no brake dust for employees to accidentally breathe in! This potentially dangerous substance can be avoided altogether.

Remarkably, Linde’s Hydrostatic Drive forklifts allow for the majority of material handling tasks to be performed quickly and efficiently with the engine at idle speed. Consequently, this benefit, combined with removing the accelerator and replacing it with load-sensing hydraulics, yields a 40-50% reduction in fuel consumption! Start adding that up and you’ll immediately realize why Linde owns the title of “Earth’s Greenest Forklift”.

While Linde forklifts do still produce emissions, we’ve engineered them to keep those emission levels as low as possible. In fact, the total emissions produced by an individual internal combustion Linde lift truck are less than half of the amount allowed by EPA standards. Proper ventilation ensures no buildup of toxic gases in your warehouse. With the right safety practices, you’ll never have to worry about emissions causing issues for the health of your employees.

Any vehicle, whether a heavy-duty highway truck or simple warehouse forklift, is rendered useless without proper tires. Fortunately, with the Linde Hydrostatic Drive System not allowing over exuberant operators to ‘spin’ the drive tires, we routinely see tire longevity of 3X better than our would-be competitors. With proper care, you’ll realize this same benefit. Consequently, you’ll also spend significantly less time and money replacing worn tires.

With an already maintenance-free brake and drive system, along with reduced wear and tear on tires, a Linde hydrostatic-drive forklift requires significantly less attention than a conventional model with an automotive-style mechanical transmission. The exact amount of reduction you’ll see depends on your usage and the operating conditions. However, following Linde’s fluid recommendations, engine service intervals are every 1000 hours, hydraulic fluid only needs to be changed every 6000 hours, and you NEVER have to worry about changing transmission fluid, brake fluid, or gear oil…there isn’t any!

Linde Material Handling’s Lift Truck product range is designed to keep your operation as environmentally clean as possible, while also saving you significant cost and time spent on maintenance. Your employees will enjoy the most spacious and comfortable operator compartment in the world, and, best of all, you won’t have to sacrifice functionality or power to enjoy these benefits! A Linde forklift is the perfect choice for any organization focusing on becoming more earth-friendly.

Get in touch with us to learn more about Linde forklifts.

Are you considering electric forklifts for your business? Electric models can offer numerous advantages over their internal combustion cousins. Making a switch to electric forklifts will often yield a much better return on your investment.

Unlike other forklifts, these models are driven by electric motors rather than an engine. Many benefits begin to appear as a result, including improved efficiency, lower operating costs, lower maintenance costs, and a near-zero impact on the environment. Let’s take a closer look at why electric forklifts may be the better choice for your operation.

[bctt tweet=”Are you planning to invest in electric forklifts to facilitate material handling in your business? Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy. #HTXMaterialHandling” via=”no”]

Since electric forklifts don’t use internal combustion engines, they do not emit harmful greenhouse gases, that also pose risks in enclosed spaces. This also reduces your workplace’s impact on the environment. Sealed AC Electric motors, powered by a battery, provide a safe, clean source of power, with ZERO emissions.

A forklift’s efficiency and performance matter a lot no matter what the application. An electric forklift works more efficiently than its IC counterpart. Linde Electric models using 80-volt technology and high-frequency charging systems, provide speed, gradeability, and overall performance which is often superior to forklifts running on conventional fossil fuels. Better yet, a fully charged forklift battery with this technology can last 12 – 14 hours on a single charge, or 24 hours utilizing ‘opportunity charging’, thus eliminating the need for multiple batteries or battery change-outs.

Pro Tip: Whether you need a heavy-duty outdoor forklift or a vehicle small enough to fit in narrow aisles, we can help you find a Linde electric model that meets your needs perfectly.

Although you’ll pay more upfront when investing in electric forklifts, they’ll help you save money on operating and maintenance costs immediately. Battery-powered lift trucks have relatively few parts, and what they do have requires less attention than what you are likely accustomed to.

When choosing a lift truck, having sufficient lifting capacity to safely handle your heaviest load should be one of the first and most important factors in making your choice. Today’s forklifts have capacity ranges from 2,500 to 110,000 lbs. based on chassis design, but this is far from the only influencing factor.

When investing in a forklift, you should consider where you’ll use it and the type of load it will handle. However, variables like the center of gravity, special attachments, weight distribution, and tire types can also affect a forklift’s lifting capacity. Let’s take a closer look at what affects your vehicle’s potential load.

[bctt tweet=”Are you considering a forklift for your operation? These factors can affect the forklift lifting capacity of your lift truck. #HTXMaterialHandling” via=”no”]

Forklifts have an invisible balancing envelope called a stability triangle, or more accurately, a stability ‘pyramid’, which becomes critically important when carrying and raising a load. The center of gravity always lies within the pyramid when the forklift is at rest, but invisibly shifts when the truck moves or lifts a load. A load’s width, length, height, and weight distribution can also shift the center of gravity and affect how much net capacity your forklift is capable of. Unsurprisingly, an unstable center of gravity makes your forklift vulnerable to tipping over and drastically reduces its lifting capacity. If the center of gravity ever moves outside of the stability pyramid, a tip-over is imminent.

Many users often add special attachments to forklifts to suit their operational needs. While this additional equipment can be quite helpful, remember that every attachment decreases your capacity and potentially shifts the center of gravity as well. Attachment weight counts toward your forklift’s total load capacity and may mean you’ll have to stick to smaller loads or increase the base capacity of your truck.

Pro Tip: Locate the data plate on your forklift’s attachment to determine its correct lifting capacity. With this data, you can safely calculate your forklift’s net capacity.

A forklift’s tire type, size, and tread width can also influence the truck’s lifting capacity. Cushion and pneumatic tires (solid or air-filled) have different load limits. Forklifts with cushion tires tend to have better capacity retention than those with pneumatic tires, but are also limited in where they can travel. Generally speaking, improved surfaces only.

Forklifts with dual tire configurations usually have higher lifting capacities than trucks with single tire configurations. Similarly, tires with wider treads tend to increase the forklift’s overall weight capacity because such tires create a broader stance to improve the truck’s stability pyramid. Which tires work better for your application?

Would you invest in expensive forklift trucks that underperform? Of course not! For safe material handling, you need an affordable forklift truck that’s highly reliable and productive, like the Baoli Forklift. Unlike other low-cost brands, Baoli offers high-end features at favorable prices. You’ll also enjoy a premium warranty and exceptional product support.

Renowned for offering economic material handling solutions, Baoli is experiencing rapid growth in popularity. The company is a subsidiary of The KION Group and is supported by KION North America and their extensive dealer network. The brand combines KION’s operational excellence and Baoli’s manufacturing competence to deliver incredible value. Still on the fence? Let’s take a closer look at what Baoli has to offer.

[bctt tweet=”Are you searching for an economic material handling solution? Invest in a Baoli forklift to enjoy comfort, convenience, and improved productivity. #HTXMaterialHandling” via=”no”]

Baoli forklifts come in two chassis offerings: 3-Wheel electric forklifts and traditional Counterbalanced pneumatic tire forklifts.

Designed to handle the toughest jobs, Baoli Forklifts guarantee better performance. The LPG and Diesel forklift designs have load capacities of 5,000-10,000 pounds. While the 3-Wheel electric version is offered in a 3500# capacity version…the industry’s most popular capacity for that chassis design.

By building its reputation on value, Baoli forklifts feature impressive capabilities designed to exceed customer expectations. The forklifts’ advanced electronic control units (ECUs) and fuel systems make them very economical when it comes to fuel consumption. Besides, the forklifts boast longer maintenance intervals of 500 hours, further reducing maintenance requirements.

A few of a Baoli forklift’s best selling points include:

Pro Tip: Baoli forklifts are designed for maximum safety and easy driving. However, don’t neglect forklift safety training! Keep your employees educated on how to operate their machinery.

Electric forklifts are powerful vehicles that can carry heavy loads. But weather waits for no one, so knowing how to operate them safely in various weather conditions is critical. You may have to use an electric forklift in the rain–do you know how to do so safely?

[bctt tweet=”Are electric forklifts safe to drive in rainy weather? Consider the six safety tips above to protect your employees, equipment, and property. #HTXMaterialHandling #HTXForklifts” via=”no”]

If you’re wondering whether you can use an electric forklift in the rain, the short answer is yes. However, there are safety precautions you can take to protect your employees, equipment, and property from any potential damage. Below are six forklift safety tips for inclement weather: 

If your employees understand the forklift safety features and receive proper training based on OSHA requirements, then many accidents can be avoided. These requirements include operator training, maintenance, and proper operation of the vehicle. You are required to evaluate your employees’ performance every three years and can ensure success in the process by supplementing their education through lectures, videos, and demonstrations.

You can examine the ingress protection ‘IP’ rating of your forklift’s componentry to determine whether or not it can safely operate in the rain. Forklifts with a rating of ‘IPX4’ or higher are safe to operate in the rain. Additionally, check the water ingress rating of your electric forklift. A zero means the forklift has no protection against water, while an 8 means the forklift is fully waterproof and could be submerged in up to 9 feet of water.

Stay focused on the equipment you are using and limit any outside distractions. If you need to take care of something while using the vehicle, like taking a phone call, stop and park the forklift truck safely before taking your call. Keeping your eyes on the path ahead is a top priority in keeping your employees and equipment safe.

Pro Tip: Leave cell phones, food, and drinks off the truck before operating the forklift to avoid the temptation of an unsafe distraction.

Protect your forklift operators by encouraging them to wear the appropriate rain gear. Gear such as waterproof jackets, pants, non-slip boots with treads to prevent falls, and uniforms or vests with reflective tape to stand out in limited visibility are important to help avoid accidents.

Forklift operators should ensure that they are able to see in rainy weather. To increase visibility in inclement weather, make sure your safety lights are working and use your headlights and horn to alert others in the area. Regularly check the safety lights on the forklift and replace any as needed.  

Drive the lift truck in a slow and controlled manner, with your seatbelt on, to keep any materials you are handling steady and secure. Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe distance from other people, equipment, and forklifts in the environment. By maintaining a safe distance, you give yourself room to stop if faced with the presence of a potential hazard.

Consider the surface conditions you will be driving on before operating the lift truck. For example, if you are moving from rainy weather outdoors to an indoor environment, avoid increasing the speed as the tires will still be wet from the rain. Always proceed cautiously because making stops with wet tires will be difficult and can cause the load you are carrying to shift or even fall off.

Keep an eye on your forklift tires as well. If the tread is wearing down or the tires are damaged, replace them immediately before operating your lift in less than ideal conditions.

It can be fascinating to watch your electric or internal combustion forklift grab items from the highest shelves. However, one of the keys to running efficient operations in your facility or warehouse may actually be found closer to the ground. 

Forklifts are a mainstay in an almost endless number of industries. Breakdowns and inefficiencies in your forklift fleet can cause delays, expensive workarounds, employee frustrations, and even customer dissatisfaction. One of the most important ways to operate an efficient forklift fleet is by monitoring the forklift tire wear and understanding the best time to replace forklift tires.

Ignoring the forklift tires of your recent Linde or Baoli purchase can have disastrous consequences for your business. Your equipment could fail which could pose a risk for both drivers and property. Other problems such as numerous maintenance trips or reduced longevity are solid reasons why you should be paying attention to the condition of your forklift tires.

Although forklifts can carry very heavy loads, the tires are the critical area of contact and where that weight is transferred from the chassis to the ground. A damaged or worn tire can cause the forklift to lose control and damage doors, walls, merchandise, or other equipment in the workplace.

Heavy tread wear reduces the efficiency of the forklifts and can shorten the life of your equipment as well as increase fuel and heat costs. These surges in maintenance costs will ultimately impact your business’s bottom line and overall profitability.

High-quality forklift tires are a great investment for your business. A great type of tire to invest in is the solid-pneumatic style (versus the traditional air-filled tires) which are designed with hardened rubber for increased durability. Unlike cushion tires, solid-pneumatic forklift tires have the ability to prevent punctures from sharp objects to help the tires last longer.

The type of tire you decide to invest in could affect the safety and productivity of a forklift driver as much as the forklift itself. Worn tires with high tread wear can cause forklifts carrying huge loads to lose stability which can lead to a number of on-the-job injuries.

If you are looking for the best forklift tire types to improve your operational performance, you’ve come to the right place. When properly monitored and managed, forklift tires can improve workplace safety, reduce fuel consumption, and increase productivity in your business.

[bctt tweet=”Are you searching for the best forklift tire types? We explore the best options, including cushion, pneumatic, and specialty forklift tires.” via=”no”]

The type of forklift tires you need will depend on the conditions of your floor. Thankfully, there are many forklift tire types to consider, including the following:

Also known as press-on tires, cushion forklift tires consist of solid rubber directly molded to a steel band which is then pressed onto a hub. Cushion tires are ideal for smooth floor surfaces. They’re definitely not ‘soft & fluffy’ as their name might seem to indicate, and they perform well in compact areas of a warehouse.

Incredibly, cushion tires are also ideal for:

Besides their suitability for smooth surfaces, cushion tires have many different advantages. They are highly maneuverable, cheaper, and more durable compared to some alternatives.

Pneumatic tires are similar to those of road vehicles, including trucks and cars. The tires have thicker treads, larger diameters, and increased tread widths. While you can use pneumatic tires indoors, they work best outdoors due to their flotation and better chassis ground clearance.

Notably, there are two types of pneumatic forklift tires: standard air pneumatic and solid pneumatic tires.

In addition, there are also many different types of specialty forklift tires to consider, including polyurethane and non-marking tires.

Polyurethane tires are special press-on tires designed to resist splitting and tearing under a load. Since the tires are lightweight, they are ideal for:

If you don’t want to leave any tire mark on your warehouse floor, consider the non-marking tires. You can use these tires in sensitive places such as:

As an operations manager or forklift operator, you need to understand the size of tires that work best for your forklift. However, interpreting the dimensions can be quite tricky if you don’t understand the essential components of tire geometry. As you’re trying to make the best decision, make sure you know the basic elements of a tire, including:

To read the size of a forklift tire, be sure to check the tire’s sidewall or the manufacturer’s manual. That being said, the writing format of the dimensions tends to vary depending on the type of tire.

Pneumatic dimensions are shown as “Width x Rim Inside Diameter,” while press-on sizes are indicated as “Height of the Outer Diameter x Width x Rim Inside Diameter.”

For example, a manufacturer would list the size of a 16-inch cushion tire as “16 x 6 x 10.5” and size a 14-inch wide pneumatic tire as “14 x 24.”

Pro Tip: Verify the size of a forklift tire by measuring the diameter, width, and height dimensions using a tape measure.

Knowing when to retire a forklift can be a tough call. You don’t want to get rid of equipment that still has plenty of life remaining. But a forklift that is slow or frequently in need of repair causes your business to be less productive and can frustrate staff.

Even the highest quality, best-engineered machinery has an economic useful life. If your lift trucks are creating more of a problem for your business than they are solutions, it may be time to seek new equipment.

If you have an older forklift, it could pose a safety risk to drivers and those around them. Traditionally, an internal combustion, torque-converter driven forklift will start requiring significant repairs at around 10,000 hours. When your forklift begins to reach the end of its useful life, you’ll want to look into replacing it before certain features begin to malfunction.

A forklift that’s consistently being scheduled for maintenance and repairs could be costing you more than it’s worth. Each hour that your equipment is down means lost productivity for your business. If a lift truck has more downtime than uptime, it’s definitely time for retirement.

If your forklifts are intermittently breaking down, losing power, dropping loads, or have fluid leaks, it’s time for immediate repair or possible replacement. Buying new equipment will ensure that warehouse employees are safe from dangerous failures that could lead to serious injury.