Similar Equipment
Rough Terrain Forklifts Forklifts
Rough Terrain Forklifts
Reach Forklifts Forklifts
Reach Forklifts
Warehouse Forklifts Forklifts
Warehouse Forklifts
Forklift Attachments Forklifts
Forklift Attachments
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Warehouse forklifts are best for raising and transporting crates, pallets and other materials over short distances. As their name implies, they’re often used in warehouses for loading and unloading inventory as well as picking and stacking. They can handle heavy loads and operate on indoor surfaces or smooth outdoor surfaces.
Warehouse forklifts come in different types. If you need the ability to move loads to the side, look for a side loader or a warehouse forklift with an available side-shift attachment. A walkie stacker is a walk-behind forklift designed to move and stack pallets at greater heights than a standard pallet jack. For the highest reach, choose a quad mast forklift.
Choose a forklift with sufficient maximum capacity and make sure it can fit where you need it to go.
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 warehouse forklift rentals with a wide range of maximum capacities, including:
In addition to capacity, you’ll also 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) at its lowest height will fit. Four-stage masts collapse to a lower height than other masts.
Most forklifts are designed for a specific type of tire, so chances are, if you’re using the right forklift for the terrain, it will have the right tires.
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 number one need, or will the operator be using attachments to do other work? What is your budget?
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.
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.
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.
Forklift accidents are almost always avoidable with forklift safety best practices. What are the main causes of injuries when using forklifts? The following article detail some of the most common types of forklift accident and helpful tips for preventing each one.
You work in tough conditions, where accidental damage to equipment can happen at anytime. United Rentals Rental Protection Plan (RPP) provides you with added coverage if something goes wrong.
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We think you might, as BakerCorp is now United Rentals throughout Europe. To learn more about our products or career opportunities in Europe, please choose your language below.