This guide contains:

Background on forklifts
Features and qualities to look for in forklifts
How to find the best forklift for you

This short guide was created to help you understand the basics of forklifts, and to help you choose the right forklift for you. We do not sell any forklifts ourselves, so you can be assured that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background on forklifts
Forklifts are very handy vehicles that can be found in a multitude of commerical environments. Ultimately, forklift performance should drive your purchasing decision. At the very least, you want to make sure that the forklift will do the job(s) you're intending it to do. Here are some key measurements that you can and should use to evaluate the performance of the forklift makes and models that you're considering:

Features and qualities to look for in forklifts
In addition to evaluating performance metrics as described above, you'll want to compare forklifts that meet your minimum requirements among other features such as:

Engine Type
Forklifts come in either electric or internal combustion (gasoline, propane, natural gas and diesel) engine varieties. Electric forklifts are most often used indoors (warehouses, plants, etc.), while internal combustion forklifts are used in outdoor situations or indoors where the ventilation is sufficient.

Engine Size/Horsepower
Horsepower is a key determinant in how powerful, effective and efficient the forklift will be. The desired horsepower should be closely tied to the intended use of the forklift.

Dimensions
Since forklifts are typically used to carry materials in tight working environments, the length, width and clearance of a particular forklift can have a large impact on its overall effectiveness. Some forklifts are designed specifically for narrow aisles.

Safety Features
Most forklifts are required by law to have certain safety items, such as back-up alarms, siren-type lighting, headlights, safety harnesses, and so on.