Forklifts
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
Forklifts
Anybody here know much about forklifts? We are looking to get one at work since our new building has tall enough ceilings to actually make use of one (20'). We are looking at used and have a budget of around $2,000. Any recommendations on what to look for?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
Need a bit more information. Electric? Propane? Gasoline? Also what capacity and how much will you be using it? Indoors only or outside and if outside, on what type of surfaces? The ceiling height really isn't that important unless you're talking about stacking stuff. Generally, you want to lift the load as little as necessary for transporting across the floor.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
We are leaning towards propane. It will be used every once in a while when we need to shuffle materials around or put them up on the racks. It will be indoors on concrete and we will also use it when we get shipments on a truck as we don't have a dock anymore.
As far as capacity goes, I would think that 3,000lbs would be plenty.
As far as capacity goes, I would think that 3,000lbs would be plenty.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
I agree with what Ford_Six says about price. Anything for $2K is going to be pretty beat.
Another thing to consider - If you plan on keeping a propane lift inside the building overnight you should check with your insurance company. We had all electric trucks where I worked but every once in a while we would rent a propane truck with greater capacity for a specific job. Almost every propane tank leaked a little at the valve and old beat up trucks leak in other places as well. Propane is heavier than air. You dont want an overnight leak spreading across the floor of your shop looking for an ignition source. We always kept the propane trucks outside on the dock.
Another thing to consider - If you plan on keeping a propane lift inside the building overnight you should check with your insurance company. We had all electric trucks where I worked but every once in a while we would rent a propane truck with greater capacity for a specific job. Almost every propane tank leaked a little at the valve and old beat up trucks leak in other places as well. Propane is heavier than air. You dont want an overnight leak spreading across the floor of your shop looking for an ignition source. We always kept the propane trucks outside on the dock.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
I never thought of that. Does it still leak even if we close the valve? We were borrowing the forklift that belongs to the landlord and had to turn the valve off when we were done. Would electric be a better choice then? We have three phase available for a charger if needed.
What would be a good budget for one of these guys? We are kind of shooting from the hip here with the $2k. It is not going to be used regularly like in a large warehouse so I would think an older one would be ok but I am not sure. Thanks for the help guys.
What would be a good budget for one of these guys? We are kind of shooting from the hip here with the $2k. It is not going to be used regularly like in a large warehouse so I would think an older one would be ok but I am not sure. Thanks for the help guys.
Street Queen to the extr3m3
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 3
From: Lubbock, Texas
We always turned the gas off on out forklifts for the same reason, during the day it was ok they were used enough, but at the end of the day it was part of closing down to turn the tanks off on the fork lifts, and like previoulsy said, 2k forklift wont be anything.... You would get more out of them for scrap.... I think 4-5 would be good.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Trenton, MI
You can get cheap than $2,000 look at gsaauction.com or gov auction Government Surplus Auctions at Government Liquidation
I would choose propane because electric battery are very expense to replace if it bad.
I would choose propane because electric battery are very expense to replace if it bad.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clarksburg WV
Yeah what these guys said...$2K probably wouldn't get you much except the smallest forklift out there.
For what it's worth, last year here where I work we needed a big forklift, so we bought a 6000 lb capacity 1973 Clark forklift. It has a flathead straight six gas engine.
Honestly when we bought the thing it was a turd. It ran like crap, the power steering didn't work, and it's supposed to have a three speed transmission but somebody "fixed" it at some point so it only has one speed reverse and forward. It also has block forks on it, and it had been sitting outside for quite awhile but had new paint. We paid $6000 for it. We have since had the power steering fixed (to the tune of almost $1000) and I've been tinkering with it, new plugs and wires made a world of difference for how it ran, but it still doesn't run "right" and I suspect the carb needs rebuilt. sigh.
For what it's worth, last year here where I work we needed a big forklift, so we bought a 6000 lb capacity 1973 Clark forklift. It has a flathead straight six gas engine.
Honestly when we bought the thing it was a turd. It ran like crap, the power steering didn't work, and it's supposed to have a three speed transmission but somebody "fixed" it at some point so it only has one speed reverse and forward. It also has block forks on it, and it had been sitting outside for quite awhile but had new paint. We paid $6000 for it. We have since had the power steering fixed (to the tune of almost $1000) and I've been tinkering with it, new plugs and wires made a world of difference for how it ran, but it still doesn't run "right" and I suspect the carb needs rebuilt. sigh.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
We found a Hyster on craigslist today for $2,500. They delivered it today and it seems to work well. 3,000lb capacity and 15' lift or so. It has an automatic tranny with the direction selector being which side of the throttle pedal you push. It took a little getting used to but I think I like that better than the other ones I've used with a lever.
Here is a picture of it.
http://mistercmk.com/album/albums/us...2/DSC02737.JPG
Here is a picture of it.
http://mistercmk.com/album/albums/us...2/DSC02737.JPG
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Heh, I've already been looking at some of the stuff out there for them.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 462
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From: NW NJ
Good luck with your machine.
Especially if the machine is only used occasionally, close the valve on the propane tank when not in use .... you'll save money from tiny leaks. It takes a great concentration of propane for ignition.
I would have recommended a standard transmission forklift .... for simplicity and cost of repair. However, many forklifts have been built with your transmission (Hydrostatic, etc), and they are proven.
There are many bargains around on forklifts. They have been around since the 1930's. A simple, common engine (usually Continental flathead) and some basic hydraulics .... that about it. WWII forklifts fly around like the day they were built.
Looks like you have a lot of tire use left (unless there are cracks I can't see). If the machine is always on smooth concrete .... "racing slicks" are best.
Good luck.
Especially if the machine is only used occasionally, close the valve on the propane tank when not in use .... you'll save money from tiny leaks. It takes a great concentration of propane for ignition.
I would have recommended a standard transmission forklift .... for simplicity and cost of repair. However, many forklifts have been built with your transmission (Hydrostatic, etc), and they are proven.
There are many bargains around on forklifts. They have been around since the 1930's. A simple, common engine (usually Continental flathead) and some basic hydraulics .... that about it. WWII forklifts fly around like the day they were built.
Looks like you have a lot of tire use left (unless there are cracks I can't see). If the machine is always on smooth concrete .... "racing slicks" are best.
Good luck.
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