If you’re in the forklift market for the first time, have returned to the market after a long absence, or just need to go back to the basics, understanding where to start in buying a new forklift can seem like a complex process. And it can be. That’s why getting organized in your pursuit of buying the best forklift is a great place to start, and Toyota can help to make sure you get the best ROI on your investment. Use this guide, which will show you what to expect, offer a few tips to help you succeed, and help you recognize a few pitfalls to avoid.

What to Expect Before you Buy a Forklift

Buying a forklift is a big investment and it can provide a large ROI for your business. But the wrong forklift can become just another cost center. The best forklift (which is always the right forklift for your unique operation) can help you save money, increase productivity, and decrease your overall downtime. Here are some things to expect as you go to buy a forklift.
•You’ll need to know your requirements. As you navigate the wide range of products available to in the material handling market, the first thing you’ll need to know is what you’re trying to accomplish. That means you’ll need to take time to audit your operation. You can use this list to help you get started. If you don’t know the answers, Dillon Toyota Lift can help you get the answers with a site survey.

•How high do you need to lift?
•Where will the forklift primarily be used – indoors or outdoors?
•How wide are the aisles and doors?
•How many hours will the forklift be in use per day?
•What kind of tires will you need?
•Are there any specific options or accessories you will need?
•Do you have properly trained operators? This is an OSHA requirement.

•You’ll need to decide if you want a new vs. used forklift. As a general rule of thumb, if you think you’ll run a forklift more than four hours a day, consider a new forklift. Factoring in maintenance costs, it will serve you better in the long run.
•You’ll need to consider the requirements of your people and your operation. Do you have an operator with a bad back? Consider the brand with the best ergonomics. Safety is key to success, so make sure you select the brand with the best standard safety features (like Toyota’s System of Active Stability).
•You’ll need to assess brands and dealers, in addition to forklifts. The thing about capital investments? You’ll have a much better ROI when you have a dedicated partner who can help you with all your material handling needs throughout your ownership, rather than someone who is just going to sell you a forklift. You may find a lesser known brand and a cheaper up-front price, but how easy will it be to get replacement parts when your forklift breaks down? And, why are they lesser known and cheaper? Visit the dealership and ask about the skill level of the technicians. Check references. You’re choosing a dealer that will be your material handling partner for years. You’ll be glad you did your homework. To help you get started, check out the Toyota 360 Support Promise.

A Few Quick Tips for getting the Best Forklift
1.Find a Trustworthy Brand
2.Think about What you Really Need (a good partner will help you figure that out)
3.Know what kind of power you need (think about best fuel type and tire options)
4.Consider the forklift operator (you might not be using it; but their comfort will matter for their productivity)
5.Know what you can afford and how to maximize ROI (let Toyota Industries Commercial Finance help)

Five Common Mistakes When Searching for the Best Forklift

There’s a great deal of information about what you should do when in your search for the best forklift for your unique operations. But have you ever wondered why somebody didn’t warn you when you were about to make a misstep you can’t get back? Here are some common mistakes many first-time forklift buyers make.
1.Buying on price alone: Don’t be tempted to buy the cheapest forklift that meets your minimum capacity requirements. There are many other important factors to consider before buying a forklift, and up front price is only one of them.
2.Not trying before you buy: Once you’ve decided the make and model of the forklift you want, rent one to try it out in your actual work conditions. Make sure your operator has input, too. They will be the one driving it all day.
3.Not buying from a dependable dealer:  Buy your forklift from a reputable dealer who can perform emergency and general maintenance when you need it. Otherwise, you risk considerable downtime if your forklift breaks down.
4.Not considering the total cost of ownership: Spending a little more up front can be an investment down the road, especially if your operations can become more efficient and productive over time.
5.Not considering a maintenance plan: Getting on a maintenance plan helps catch problems early to reduce downtime and keeps your operators safe with regular inspections. Maintenance plans can also help increase the life of a forklift.

Purchasing the right forklift for your operation requires that you take into account several factors that are unique to your situation. From determining the right rated capacity you’ll need to understanding the difference between pneumatic and cushion tires, there’s a lot to consider. And the actual physical space of your workplace can’t be forgotten. Calculating forklift minimum aisle width will help you make an informed decision about what warehouse forklifts to acquire. But how do you know how much space you’ll need to effectively navigate? You should always check your calculations with a certified Toyota dealer, but you can use this simple formula to help you get started:

Forklift Aisle Width Formula

Basic Right Angle Stack + 12 In. (Clearance) + Load Length

Basic Right Angle Stack:

This measurement is the smallest amount of space a forklift needs to be able to turn and enter a pallet. It does not include the length of the load that is picked up or any room for clearance. Basic Right Angle Stack measurements are listed in specification manuals. Toyota lists this spec for all of its models on each model’s specific product page.

Load Length:

Load lengths will vary depending on your unique circumstances, and you should always be sure to know your forklift’s rated capacity at certain load centers. But a rule of thumb that might be used as a starting point would be a standard pallet, which is 48 inches in length.

Clearance:

Calculating 12 inches of clearance will help to ensure you have enough space to turn in the aisle and help protect against potentially unsafe situations resulting from operator error.

Forklift Aisle Width Calculation Example:

Let’s say you’re considering purchasing a Toyota Core IC Cushion forklift for your warehouse and want to make sure you would be able to turn in your aisles with a standard pallet. According to the forklift specs, the model you are considering has a Basic Right Angle Stack spec of 86 inches.

86 in. (Basic Right Angle Stack) + 12 in. (Clearance) + 48 in. (Load Length) = 146 in. Minimum Aisle Width

Remember that this is just a start to your assessment practice. Always be sure to have Dillon Toyota Lift verify your results before you make a purchasing decision!

Original Post:  Jake Stewart, Digital Content Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling, USA

When you start looking to buy a forklift, one of the first things you will notice are the different tire types that are available. Pneumatic and cushion tires are the two most common, and those tire types are often used as a dividing line for the forklifts used in certain operations (along with fuel type) If your business operates a lot outdoors, then you may want to take a look at this post explaining pneumatic tires and why they are beneficial. But if you work mostly indoors, then cushion tires are made for you. To put it simply, cushion tires are made of a smooth rubber that is fitted around a metal band, great for indoor applications. The following are some of the major benefits of cushion tires.

Advantages of Cushion Tire Forklifts: Great for Smooth Surface Applications

Cushion tires are designed specifically to work great on smooth surfaces, and the hard outer surface is designed to reduce chipping on the wheels. Cushion tires also contain more rubber, allowing for a safer, more comfortable ride for the operator. This extra rubber will also allow for a longer service life. But, using these types of tires outside on uneven terrain could cause early chipping, and could be a safety hazard due to the reduced traction of the cushion tires. While it is alright for you to use it on smooth asphalt outdoors, we recommend you limit the time you use them outside.

Advantages of Cushion Tire Forklifts: More Maneuverability

Another reason cushion tires are great for indoor applications is that they allow for a more maneuverable forklift. They are able to fit a smaller forklift frame, and have a lower ground clearance. When you operate in a warehouse, having a smaller forklift is important when it comes to making the most of your space. This allows you to navigate narrower aisles, and keep your racking closer together. The more space you have for racking, the more product you can hold in your warehouse.

Advantages of Cushion Tire Forklifts: Cost-Effective

Because cushion tires require less materials to produce, it is less expensive for companies to manufacture them. This is good for you, because they are usually cheaper than pneumatic tires. Another way cushion tires help you save money is by being easier to maintain. By making sure your warehouse floors are clear of debris, and not driving your forklift over tough terrain, you can help your cushion tires last.

Make sure you do some research, and really look into all of the different uses the forklift could get in order to make an informed decision. Once you choose a specific forklift and its tire type, I highly recommended against changing tire type on your forklift (and it’s often impossible to do so).

Original Post:  Lucas Collom, Digital Projects Administrator, Toyota Material Handling, USA

If you’ve been at your business for a while, you can usually predict when busy seasons are going to strike. Advancements in supply chain forecasting measures have made it easier than ever to plan ahead for seasonality.

And while you may feel prepared to meet demands, all businesses are subject to conditions and circumstances beyond their control. Say you didn’t anticipate the popularity of a new product that was released. You may not have ever needed to handle this new volume of orders for this particular product. On the other hand, say you released a product during a holiday that turned out to have an incredibly high return rate. You’re now unprepared for the stress on the reverse supply chain when orders are returned in larger volumes than predicted. And while both of these situations can happen and can mess with your inventory projections and needs, you also have to consider the possibility of equipment breakdown. On deadline in the peak seasons, having an important piece of pallet moving equipment go down can be devastating to delivering products to customers in line with your promises.

I actually recommend you keep some backup equipment on hand to combat these possibilities. But whatever the circumstances, these unexpected turns can leave you in a position where you simply don’t have enough equipment available in your warehouse or distribution center to keep the products moving. You need additional material handling equipment that you can get quickly and without hassle.

As you begin to explore your options, you might find that the benefits of a Hand Pallet Truck (HPT) are precisely what you need. It is a small but reliable piece of equipment that can take on heavy loads – perfect for short-term influxes of product. Ordering a Toyota HPT directly from the ToyotaForklift.com Store makes the process even smoother.  Buy Now

Original Post:  Jake Stewart, Digital Copywriter, Toyota Material Handling, USA