What Information Should You Provide When Ordering A Heavy Duty Forklift?
When we receive a new inquiry, customers often start with one sentence:
We need a 20 ton forklift.
This gives us the basic capacity requirement, but it is usually not enough to confirm the correct model.
For heavy duty forklifts, load size, load center and working conditions are all important.
Maximum Load Weight
The first information we need is the maximum actual working load.
It is better to provide the heaviest load the forklift will normally handle, rather than an average weight.
Load Dimensions
Please provide the length, width and height of the load whenever possible.
Two loads may both weigh 20 tons, but a long machine and a compact steel block can create very different load centers.
For unusual loads, photographs or drawings are also useful.
Lifting Height
We also need to know how high the material needs to be lifted.
A forklift working only at ground level has different mast requirements from one loading onto a platform or stacking at several meters.
Forks And Attachments
The type of material determines whether standard forks are enough.
Some applications may require:
- longer forks
- fork positioner
- side shifter
- coil ram
- lifting boom
- tire clamp
- customized attachment
Providing this information early helps avoid changes later in the production process.
Working Environment
The operating area also affects forklift selection.
Useful information includes:
- indoor or outdoor operation
- flat or uneven ground
- aisle width
- ramps
- dust or high temperature
- port, factory or construction site use
For large-capacity forklifts, available turning space is especially important.
Engine And Emission Requirements
Different markets may have different emission requirements.
Customers should tell us the destination country and whether a particular engine brand or emission standard is required.
The more accurate the application information is, the easier it is for the manufacturer to recommend the right configuration.
When ordering a heavy duty forklift, capacity is only the starting point. The actual load and working environment should always be considered together.