Do You Know When to Replace Your Forklift Tires?

Looking for an easy way to improve efficiency and help forklift operators stay productive? Don't wait too long to replace your forklift's tires.  

New forklift tires: 

  • Improve fuel efficiency
  • Make your forklift last longer
  • Reduce forklift operator fatigue

Just 40% tire wear causes the forklift and driver to absorb 84% of the vehicle's vibration. That means transmission has to work harder, and your operator is going to get tired much faster. 

Forklift Mast Terminology Explained

Just like a 2-door car can also be described as a coupe, the most common forklift mast types have interchangeable names. Before you buy or rent a forklift, it’s important to know the various names for different types of forklift masts.

Already an experienced forklift buyer? Feel free to scroll past the first part of this article and test your knowledge of forklift mast terminology.

How to Get a Forklift Certification in California

If you want to get a job driving a forklift in California, you need a forklift license. Getting a forklift license is similar to getting a driver's license, you have to prove you know what you're doing. The license also specifies what type of forklift that the operator is certified to use (electric, pneumatic tire, rough terrain, etc.) in the same way your driver's license might have a motorcycle or hazardous material endorsement.

CARB Forklift Regulations: Know Before You Buy

Across the U.S., approximately 60% of material handling operations use electric forklifts. But in California, it could soon be 100%.

Proposed regulations from The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will eventually phase out internal combustion (IC) forklifts. Operations will gradually retire any IC forklifts in their fleet, and the sale and purchase of used Spark-Ignited forklifts in California would be prohibited starting January 1, 2026.

Read on to learn about:

  • Pending regulations from CARB
  • Incentives for using electric equipment
  • When to choose a gas or propane forklift vs. electric

Forklift Financing and Leasing

The time has come to order a new forklift. You’ve researched your options and know what truck you want, but what about financing?

Is it better to lease or buy a forklift? How do forklift leases work?
(SPOILER ALERT: they’re a lot different than leasing a car).

Read on to learn about your forklift financing options and see two limited-time special offers.

Should I Buy A New or Used Forklift?

Given an unlimited budget, who wouldn’t choose a shiny new forklift with the newest technology and all the accessories? But as Mick Jagger famously sang, “you can’t always get what you want…but you might find you get what you need.”

But therein lies the question. Does your business need a brand-new forklift? Or would a used one work just as well?

When to Lease Vs Buy an Electric Forklift - 3 Questions to Ask

One of the many decisions you’ll make when investing in a new piece of equipment is whether to buy or lease. A big part of that decision is the forklift's battery and what it will eventually cost to replace it.

A forklift battery should last a single-shift operation for five to eight years. Proper care and maintenance can extend battery life up to ten years, but they don't last forever. The average cost to replace an industrial battery is about $6,000 (give or take $1,000). Contact your rep for a more precise quote. 

If you’re unsure whether to lease or buy an electric lift truck outright, consider:
- How many hours will the forklift will be used each year?
- What is the operation’s current / future cash flow?
- Can the forklift be well-maintained by staff?

3 Most Common Forklift Accidents and How to Avoid Them

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents annually. Statistically, that means one of every ten forklifts in the US will be involved in an accident every year.

An OSHA study found 25% of forklift accidents are due to inadequate operator training, but what about the other 75%? In today’s article we’ll review the most common forklift accidents and how to prevent them through: proper training, safety equipment and proactive technology.

How to Choose Long-Lasting Forklift Wheels

Forklift wheels aren’t one size fits all. The wrong wheels can decay quickly and need to be replaced more often. In today’s post, we’ll review different types of forklift wheels and how to extend the life of your forklift load wheels. 

Forklift Capacity - How Much Do You Need?

If the
data plate on your forklift says its rated capacity is 10,000 lbs, that doesn't necessarily mean you can lift any load weighing less than 10,000 lbs. The load dimensions, placement, weight distribution of the load and any forklift attachments affect your lift truck's true maximum capacity.

Today's blog post will answer the questions:
- What is rated capacity vs. net/payload capacity
How much can a forklift actually lift?
- What is load center?
How to choose a forklift with the right capacity

How Much Does a Forklift Cost?

A typical forklift, like the one you see in most warehouses, should cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on capacity, tires and fuel type. As a general rule, the acquisition price of an electric forklift is roughly 50% higher than a comparable Internal Combustion (IC) lift truck. While this difference might seem extreme, the majority of customers today are seeing the ROI of an electric over its useful life is significantly greater than this price gap.

The acquisition price of a forklift is directly related  to its capacity. The higher the capacity, the higher the acquisition cost. In this article, we’ll review what goes into a forklift’s sticker price and other important factors such as cost of ownership.

 

Forklift FAQs - Batteries, Tires, Pricing and More

Purchasing and operating a forklift can be complicated.  So in today’s post, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about forklifts including:

We’ll also cover:

How to Use Your Forklift's Data Plate to Determine Load Capacity

Every forklift has a data plate, also known as a name plate or forklift capacity plate. As you probably guessed, it provides important information on how much weight the forklift can carry.

The capacity listed on your forklift’s data plate cannot exceed the maximum capacity of any of its load bearing components. What does this mean exactly?  Put simply, the  maximum rated lifting capacity isn’t necessarily the same as the maximum weight a forklift can carry. It may be less...

Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Next Forklift


There will come a point when your existing forklifts have reached the end of their economic life and need to be replaced. Besides some of the obvious questions there are a few that could save you hundred, thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Should You Buy an LP Forklift or an Electric Forklift?

 Both liquified petroleum (LP) forklifts and electric forklifts offer a cleaner, quieter alternative to gas or diesel-powered lift trucks. So which is better?

- Some applications, like food, pharmaceutical or underground facilities are required to use electric forklifts. Electric forklifts also have a lower cost of ownership in the long term.
- On the other hand, propane forklifts can be used indoors or outdoors, and changing tanks is easier than changing a forklift battery.

Read on to read a complete list of the major pros and cons of electric vs. propane forklifts.

How to Get the Maximum Trade-In Value for Your Forklift

When it’s time for a new forklift, you naturally want a high trade-in value for your old equipment. Here are a few ways to ensure you receive top dollar:

Forklift Tires: What You Need to Know

Ever wonder if you’re using the right kind of tires for your forklift? Or wanted to know when a forklift tire needs to be replaced? Today’s post covers all this and more.

How to Improve Electric Forklift Battery Life

There’s no denying the popularity of electric forklifts.  
Compared to a diesel or LPG forklift, electric lift trucks:
 - Can cost less to maintain 
- Take up less space (no need to store tanks of propane or diesel)
- Have a smaller carbon footprint
- Are less noisy

However, proper maintenance is key to maximize the efficiency of an electric forklift. In this post, we’ll review forklift battery options (lead acid versus lithium ion), battery charging options, and other ways to improve forklift efficiency.

Forklift Financing - Leasing vs. Purchase

Interested in financing a new forklift and unsure whether it's better to lease a forklift or buy the equipment outright?  Depending on your cash flow, capital requirements, equipment condition and usage, there are benefits to both options.

12 Benefits of Long-Term Forklift Rentals

Debating whether to rent versus buy a forklift or other material handling equipment? You're not alone. Long-term rentals are increasingly popular with companies both large and small.

Learn more about the benefits of a long-term equipment rental and whether it's a good choice for your company.

How Much Is My Used Forklift Worth?

Whether you're looking to trade-in a used forklift or sell a forklift due to changing operational needs, you may be wondering, how much is my used forklift worth? There are several factors buyers use to calculate the value of a used forklift including hours, age and mast specs.  Equipment appearance and maintenance history can also influence the price. Read on to learn more.

NOTE: If you’re looking to buy rather than sell a used forklift, check out our Buying a Used Forklift page for pro buying tips. Learn about used forklift warranties, how to avoid buying bad equipment and other advice from our experts.

Common Forklift Operator Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Sitting for long periods, twisting into awkward positions and spending all day riding in a machine with no suspension are just a few reasons forklift operators find themselves with musculoskeletal and repetitive use injuries.

Lower back pain, musculoskeletal and repetitive strain injuries are some of the most common reasons for absenteeism and workers comp claims. According to a report on OSHA’s website:

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most widespread occupational health hazard facing our Nation today. Nearly two million workers suffer work-related musculoskeletal disorders every year, and about 600,000 lose time from work as a result. Although the median number of lost workdays associated with these incidents is seven days, the most severe injuries can put people out of work for months and even permanently disable them. In addition, $1 of every $3 spent on workers' compensation stems from insufficient ergonomic protection. The direct costs attributable to MSDs are $15 to $20 billion per year, with total annual costs reaching $45 to $54 billion.

In today’s post, we’ll uncover the most common injuries forklift operators experience, and how operators, facility managers, and fleet managers can prevent them.

How to Change the Propane Tank on an LP Forklift

Liquid propane (LP) Is a common forklift fuel type that requires extra caution when handling. The liquid propane inside the forklift’s fuel tank is highly pressurized at -40 °F. Only a small amount can severely damage eyes and skin. Liquid propane is also flammable and explosive.

Exposure to high concentrations of propane, even for a brief moment, can cause dizziness or even suffocation. In today’s post, we’ll cover how to safely change the propane tank on an LP forklift, including PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements.

Protect Your Forklift With an Anti Static Ground Strap

Ever wondered why there's a strap dragging on the ground underneath some forklifts? It’s an anti-static strap, also known as a ground strap.

Static electricity can be very harmful to a forklift. This may seem strange, but think about the circuit boards and computer chips that make up a modern lift truck. One good zap and your equipment could go brain dead. Forklift operators don’t like being shocked either!

It’s especially important to get a static strap for lift trucks with non-marking tires. Keep reading to find out how to correctly ground an electric forklift, or contact us to learn more. 

Forklift Pricing - What You Need to Know

Buying a forklift, even a small forklift, is a big investment. Since it’s our goal to help customers find the right forklift for the right price, we wanted to share some insights about forklift pricing. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when estimating what you might pay for your next lift truck.

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