Think through what materials you plan to lift (single pallets? heavy containers? wood?) and the heaviest loads you’ll need to lift. It’s common for people to underestimate the capacity of the forklift they need, so when in doubt, go for a large forklift rental. In the case of forklifts with telescopic booms, consult the load chart to figure out the forklift’s load capacity.

United Rentals offers forklifts with a wide range of maximum capacities, including: 

• Small warehouse forklifts:  A 3,000-pound warehouse forklift or a 5,000-pound forklift can handle light-duty to medium-duty jobs around a warehouse or other industrial site.

• Medium warehouse forklifts: 6,000-pound warehouse forklifts to 15,000-pound forklifts and are suitable for medium-duty to heavy-duty material handling.

• Large warehouse forklifts: With load capacities up to 50,000 pounds, large forklifts can handle heavy-duty applications.

In addition to capacity, you’ll need to consider the forklift’s dimensions in relation to the space restrictions of the jobsite. For example, if you’re working in a warehouse, knowing the aisle width and/or common pallet dimensions will help to determine the size and type of forklift to rent. Pallet jacks and side loaders are ideal for narrow aisles.

The height to which you need to lift materials will determine what not only what type of forklift you need to rent but also the type of mast you need (straight or extending, and how many stages). Forklift masts are typically two-stage or three-stage, though some are four-stage (quad masts). Quad masts are designed for the highest stacking.

Remember to consider your overhead clearance, including doorways, and make sure the mast — or boom in the case of a telehandler — will fit at its lowest height. Four-stage masts collapse to a lower height than other masts.

Forklifts with pneumatic tires, filled with compressed air, can handle rough terrain and uneven surfaces, including those found on construction sites and in lumberyards. Forklifts with pneumatic tires are typically intended for outdoor work, though they can also be useful in large warehouses. Cushion tires, made from solid rubber, provide less traction and lower ground clearance and are intended for indoor floors and smooth, level outdoor surfaces.

You need to decide the best power option for your site and project. Electric, diesel, gasoline and propane forklifts all have their advantages and disadvantages. When looking for the right rental forklift, start by thinking about the tasks the forklift will be used for. Will the work happen mainly inside or outside? Is moving heavy pallets the most important need, or will the operator be using attachments to do other work? What is your budget?

Electric forklifts

For indoor work, consider renting an electric forklift. Electric-powered forklifts are often used to lift and transport materials in industrial or warehouse settings, especially in cold-storage facilities for food and medical equipment.

If “battery-powered” makes you pause, consider this: Sealed lead-acid batteries have better starting power, recharge more quickly and have lower maintenance costs than older lead-acid batteries. Many heavy-duty forklifts still rely on lead-acid batteries because these heavy batteries — weighing between 800 and 4,000 pounds — serve as a counterbalance to the material being lifted. Newer electric models rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are the lightest option.

The pros of electric warehouse forklifts

• Quiet, exhaust-free operation
• Relatively low operating costs
• More compact than propane or diesel thanks to the lack of an internal combustion engine
• Maneuverable to turn around sharp corners in aisles
• Controls are basic and easy for operators
• Less downtime due to fewer moving parts and the absence of engine oil, coolants, filters and fuel
• Less vibration, which reduces operator fatigue
• Great performance from the AC motor
• Performance not affected by cold temperatures needed for cold storage

The cons of electric warehouse forklifts

• Most electric forklifts not rated for outdoor use
• Higher costs than propane and diesel forklifts, and charging bays, chargers and tools for removing large batteries add to the costs
• Heavy-duty work may require more expensive batteries
• Batteries require recharging, which can slow down work and diminish runtime

Propane forklifts

For quick refueling and low emissions, propane forklifts deliver. Liquid propane (LP) powers the internal combustion engine. Propane forklifts come in many sizes and capacities and are used in trucking and logistics, manufacturing and large warehouses.

If you're considering renting a propane forklift, weigh these pros and cons.

The pros of propane warehouse forklifts

• Can be used for work indoors or outdoors, even on inclines
• Fast refueling (replacing a sealed propane tank takes five minutes or less)
• Lower emissions than diesel
• More power, greater torque and superior runtime than electric
• Wide range of capacities
• Longer engine life than diesel

The cons of propane warehouse forklifts

• Fuel costs are unpredictable
• Propane is volatile and can leak from tanks if tanks are punctured
• More moving parts increase maintenance costs compared to electric
• A clutch is used to slow traction speed so you may need to train drivers on loading and off-loading
• May be difficult to start in cold weather
• Less power and torque than diesel or gas models
• Louder than electric forklifts

Gas/diesel warehouse forklifts

Need a bigger, more powerful forklift that can work on a slope? Renting a diesel or gas forklift is the way to go. These machines are the go-to outdoor forklifts for heavy-duty applications, such as heavy manufacturing, lumberyards and construction. Gas-powered forklifts are less common than diesel-powered forklifts but share many of the pros and cons.

The pros of gas and diesel warehouse forklifts

• More power and torque than electric or propane forklifts
• Can lift more weight and easily power hydraulic attachments
• Faster acceleration and lifting
• Require less maintenance than propane-fueled engines
• Run time is limited only by fuel accessibility

The cons of gas/diesel warehouse forklifts
 

• Limited to outdoor use due to exhaust fumes
• More emissions and larger carbon footprint than electric and propane forklifts 
• Noisy operation and vibrations cause operator fatigue
• Can’t make short turns or work in tight places due to their size
• Require more highly trained operators