This isn’t a car lot, folks!! Forklifts come in many shapes and sizes, which creates a ‘choose your own adventure’ on what could work and should function best. They are manufactured specifically for an application, so a ‘standard’ forklift doesn’t exist. Instead of picking the unit you like best off the shop floor to take home with you, each detail should be carefully considered and built for you. Every variable from the operator’s compartment and safety features to the mast and hydraulic functions can be customized. 

In general, a forklift is essentially a giant teeter-totter from your load in front through to the counterweight in the rear. Trucks are grossly rated for the counterweight (backend), but is affected by every decision in-between, which includes fork length, mast height, tilt, attachment, and carriage function.

In addition to functional specifications, we like to joke about radios, tire rims, and racing stripes, but many forklift manufacturers offer various ergonomic customizations such as: hydraulic controls, directional controls, seat types, and many others. Safety features is also a notable topic. Every forklift starts without these features, but can be personalized to include fire extinguishers, travel alarms, warning devices, and a myriad of light packages. Personally, we don’t like to settle on the status quo because there is always room for improvement. Have questions or concerns, call us for a survey.