Most businesses can use a helping hand once in a while, and a forklift fills that role nicely. This type of heavy industrial equipment can move people and merchandise, and make the lives of those with warehouses or large inventory spaces much easier. But finding the right forklift for your needs usually means evaluating different forklift manufacturers to determine who can do the best job.

Selecting a lift truck

Since your business has particular needs which may require specific equipment, keep these questions in mind when talking to manufacturers of fork lift trucks:

• How large are the loads your staff needs to move? Many forklifts can handle approximately 3,000-5,000 pounds, and some are capable of even larger loads.
• Does the forklift run on electrical power, gasoline, or LPG?
• Which forklift manufacturers provide training for your staff? It's all too easy for an inexperienced operator to drive too fast and risk tipping over while carrying excessive loads.
• Does the forklift handle well in extreme temperatures, such as in a cold-storage facility?
• What's the long-term service and maintenance policy?
• Does the forklift manufacturer sell used or reconditioned equipment?

You also may need to work with forklift manufacturers that can provide replacement or specialized fork attachments for an entire fleet of lift trucks. When you complete a request for forklift price quotes, be sure to note your interest in certain attachments.

Meeting your needs

Forklift manufacturers develop a wide variety of equipment, including:

• Rider trucks: The operator sits inside the vehicle and drives the load to its intended destination.
• Pallet trucks: These are ideal for transporting loaded pallets around a warehouse floor.
• Tow tractors: Grocery stores sometimes use these to transport new merchandise to the aisles when restocking.
• Walkie/Stacker: Instead of sitting inside, an employee can walk behind the stacker and use it to lift heavy loads to overstock areas.
• Scissor lift: This equipment can lift an employee and merchandise several feel above the ground.

Finding leading forklift manufacturers

A quick Internet search returns several brand-name manufacturers of fork lift trucks, many of whom are members of BuyerZone’s Supplier Network:

• Toyota: Perhaps best known for its automobiles, Toyota also is an established forklift manufacturer.
• Nissan: Another popular car manufacturer, Nissan has a division devoted to industrial equipment and also offers safety training classes.
• Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America (MCFA): The combination of two established companies, MCFA is among the most recognized forklift manufacturers in the US.
• Crown Equipment: An American company that entered the global marketplace, Crown Equipment designs and builds material handling products.

To get connected to the right vendors who offer equipment from leading forklift manufacturers, complete a free BuyerZone request for forklift price quotes today.