Forklifts are essential to many operations, but misconceptions about how they should be selected operated and maintained can lead to costly mistakes.
Understanding the facts can help you make decisions that support greater safety and efficiency in your business.
Myth #1: Any Forklift Can Do Any Job
The reality: Forklifts are designed for different loads, environments and operating requirements.
A forklift that performs well in one facility or application may be completely wrong for another. Choosing the right equipment requires looking beyond whether it can lift a pallet.
Important considerations include:
- Load weight and dimensions
- Load center
- Required lift height
- Aisle widths
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Floor and ground conditions
- Attachments or specialized handling requirements
- Daily operating hours
Using the wrong forklift can reduce productivity, strain the equipment or create an unsafe operating condition.
Myth #2: Used Forklifts Aren’t Reliable
The reality: A quality used forklift can still have plenty of productive life ahead.
A forklift’s condition matters more than the fact that it has had a previous owner. Operating hours, maintenance history, prior use and overall condition can all help determine whether a used forklift is a dependable investment.
The seller matters too. Purchasing from a reputable forklift provider gives you access to people who understand the equipment and can help you evaluate whether it fits your needs.
Used forklifts can be particularly practical for lighter-duty applications, seasonal use, backup equipment or operations that cannot justify the cost of new equipment. The key is to evaluate the individual forklift rather than dismissing it simply because it is used.
Used forklifts from reliable sellers can be a cost effective addition to your project.
Explore G&W Equipment’s used forklift inventory.
Myth #3: Electric Forklifts Aren’t Powerful Enough
The reality: Modern electric forklifts deliver serious performance in many demanding applications.
Modern electric forklifts deliver the lifting capacity and consistent power needed for demanding work without the noise or tailpipe emissions of an internal combustion engine.
Electric forklifts are particularly effective for environments where emissions, noise levels and cleanliness are particularly important. They are also more compact, performing well in facilities with narrow aisles. Some models can also operate outdoors on appropriate surfaces.
With fewer engine-related maintenance requirements, electric forklifts can be a cost-effective option when properly matched to the workload, environment and charging schedule.
Electric forklifts can provide the power you need in sensitive environments while saving you money.
Learn more about electric forklifts available from G&W Equipment.
Myth 4: Any Technician Can Repair a Forklift
The reality: Forklifts require specialized technical knowledge, tools and parts.
A forklift is not simply a passenger vehicle with forks attached. It brings together hydraulic, electrical, mechanical and safety systems that require specific knowledge to diagnose and repair correctly.
Qualified forklift technicians understand how these systems interact. They also have access to diagnostic tools, manufacturer specifications and appropriate replacement parts. This expertise helps them diagnose the underlying cause, make the right repair quickly and reduce the risk of recurring problems.
The technician should also understand the make and model being serviced. G&W Equipment’s factory-trained technicians service all brands of forklifts throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Myth 5: Bigger Forklifts Are Always Betetr
The reality: The best forklift is properly sized for both the load and the operating environment.
Choosing a forklift with extra capacity may sound like a good idea. However, an oversized forklift may have a larger turning radius, require wider aisles and consume more space throughout the facility. It may also cost more to purchase, fuel or charge without providing a meaningful productivity advantage.
The goal is to selected a forklift that provides sufficient capacity for your actual loads while fitting comfortably within the space where it will work.
When it comes to forklift, properly sized is better than simply bigger.
Myth #6: Preventive Maintenance Is Optional
The reality: Preventive maintenance helps keep small problems from becoming disruptive breakdowns.
Putting off forklift maintenance may save money in the short term, but an unexpected breakdown can cost much more in repairs and lost productivity.
Preventive forklift maintenance helps catch wear and developing problems early, reducing the risk of major repairs, extending equipment life and making downtime easier to plan.
Service intervals depend on operating hours, manufacturer recommendations and application demands. Forklifts used across multiple shifts or in harsh conditions may require more frequent attention.
Daily pre-operation inspections help identify visible concerns, but they do not replace scheduled service by a trained technician.
Preventive maintenance is key in keeping your forklift operational and keeping costs down.
Ask G&W Equipment about a planned maintenance program.
Myth #7: Anyone Can Drive a Forklift
The reality: Forklift operators must be properly trained and evaluated.
Experience driving a car or even a piece of construction equipment does not qualify someone to operate a forklift. Forklifts steer, balance and handle loads differently from other vehicles. Forklift drivers also have to be familiar with forklift controls and instrumentation and be able to maneuver ramps, loading docs and different surface conditions.
OSHA requires that powered industrial truck operators receive formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of their workplace performance. Training must address the type of truck the employee will operate and the conditions in the workplace. Operator performance must also be evaluated at least once every three years, with refresher training required in certain circumstances. Review OSHA’s forklift training requirements.
Proper training does more than support regulatory compliance. It can help operators protect themselves, their coworkers, the facility, the products being handled and the equipment itself.
G&W Equipment provides customized onsite forklift operator safety training for all makes and models.
Get the Right Forklift Advice for Your Operation.
The truth behind these forklift myths comes down to one important principle: your equipment and support should be matched to your operation. The right choice depends on what you move, where you move it, how often the equipment operates and what support you need to keep it productive.
G&W Equipment helps businesses throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia select, service and operate equipment with confidence. Talk to our team about your application, workload and material handling goals.