Tips For Renting Forklifts

If you need a forklift for your daily work, then you may choose to buy one. But many businesses opt to rent their forklifts instead, since they don’t require these machines on a daily basis. There are different kinds of forklifts that are designed for certain types of tasks. When people don’t do their due diligence in determining exactly what they need, however, they sometimes feel cheated for having rented a machine that isn’t suitable or is liable to break down.

Fortunately, with some research, you can cut down your risk of encountering these issues and obtain the right machine for the tasks at hand. Read on for more information, then head over to Synergy Equipment at one of our locations in Florida, Georgia or South Carolina. We have a wide range of new and used heavy equipment for sale and we also provide rentals!

What Are Your Needs?

There are not only various shapes and sizes in forklifts, but there are also options when it comes to material-handling capabilities. To know which forklift rental is best for you, make sure you understand the job you want done. The other thing you have to know beforehand is how long you’ll need the machine. With forklift rentals, you can rent on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, and the cost is generally reduced if you rent for long periods. 

Most forklift rentals come without a limit on how many hours you can use the machine, so it's important to keep your workflow streamlined and take advantage of that policy to get as much out of your rental as possible. Once you’re done with the forklift, call up the company so you don’t get charged for more rental time. 

Compatible With Job Site?

When you look for forklift rentals, tell the dealer about the weight and volume of the biggest loads you need to move, and also tell them how high these loads have to be lifted. Remember that with such machines, the lifting capacity decreases when the machine has to reach higher levels. You could find that a forklift with a capacity of 5,000 pounds fails to help with your cargo placement. 

Also ensure that the forklift rental you’re getting is compatible with your warehouse/work site. If you have narrow aisles, you’ll need a narrow machine to navigate them. Tell your dealer the length and width of the shortest door to your work site that the forklift will need to move through. If there are any special limitations in your warehouse, inform the dealer beforehand so you don’t end up with the wrong machine.

When forklifts are used indoors, they usually have cushioned tires that work well on hard, smooth surfaces. When they’re mostly used outdoors, they are usually equipped with pneumatic tires with which they can traverse different types of terrain. So it’s best to be as clear with your dealer as possible. 

What About Fuel?

When it comes to fuel for your forklift rental, you can choose between diesel, electric and propane. Again, each option is best suited for different kinds of work and work sites. If you want a quiet and environmentally-friendly forklift, choose a battery-powered electric forklift. These are great for indoor use because they produce zero emissions, and they’re also easy to maintain!

If you need to finish a demanding project that requires lots of power, consider getting a rugged diesel forklift rental. Unfortunately, these beasts can’t be used indoors because of their exhaust, so you can only use them outdoors, where they can handle the most strenuous work and the roughest terrain. 

If you’re looking for something more versatile that can do both the indoor and outdoor jobs that your project requires, look into propane forklift rentals. These machines are easy to refuel and they provide way more torque than their electric counterparts. These forklifts can also handle rough terrain quite well. 

Who’s Responsible For What?

As with renting anything else, you need to establish who’s responsible for what when the machine is with you. While the customer is usually not responsible for wear and tear, they can be liable for repairs that occur due to damage on the work site. Discuss this thoroughly with the dealer so you don’t end up with a bigger bill than you anticipated. 

A lot of dealers offer to deliver the forklift rental to your work site. This is good because their operators have more experience with these bulky machines. However, there may be a fee for the transportation and loading/unloading of the machine, so ask about that up front. 

Some dealers offer to provide service for their forklift rentals, so machines can be repaired on site and save you some time. Some may even swap the machine if heavier repairs are required. Just be clear about all aspects of the renting process before you sign the dotted line. 

We hope this list helps you get the best forklift rental deal! If you’d like to find out more or if you’re ready to rent some heavy equipment now, visit us at Synergy Equipment at our locations across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. We’re here for all your heavy equipment needs!