.Most people focus on a project rather than the things needed to complete it successfully, This is why equipment rental can become a major factor. Costs, experience, and job completion are also problematic when you made the wrong decisions. OSHA has some load handling guidelines when it comes to your next big home project:
- What duties do you need the forklift for? Do you have the skills to operate it?
- Where will you use the forklift? Indoors or outdoors? Are there any narrow areas I will need the forklift to fit?
- What is your budget? Are there any tools or attachments you need to get?
Rental Equipment Types
Do not assume that a forklift is ideal for one-size-fits-all jobs. It is important to do your research to ensure you get the right type of rental depending on the necessity of your job requirements:
- Electric forklifts: available in stand-up and rider designs
- Rough terrain forklifts: best suited for outdoor and rough terrains
- Piggyback lifts: best for construction sites or offloading of deliveries
- Narrow aisle forklifts: best for warehouse work duties and spaces of 10 feet or less
- Internal combustion forklifts: two types available; best for jobs on concrete surfaces or outdoor terrain
Specifications of Forklift Equipment
Do you know the specifications that your job requires? Make a list of load weight, transportation requirements, and maximum area of lift height. If you choose a model that is incapable of lifting a heavy load or transporting it to another area, it can cause a tip-over, which will damage the forklift or the load you are moving.
You also need to ensure that if you are using it indoors that the forklift can enter and leave accordingly based on door sizing. Knowing this information is extremely important for landscaping projects because the wrong forklift will essentially be useless.
Rental Budget
Some people think that rental fees are standard. While the overall cost is, other fees come with a rental you need to add to your budget.
The rental fee is for the forklift, but there may be fees for attachments and battery chargers depending on your needs that depend significantly on the length of time you use them. You will also incur charges if you rent for many days and do not call your supplier to pick the equipment up. Forklift suppliers do not stop running the clock until returned, so if you do not make the call, your fees will mount up.
Another key is knowing the right charging voltage for the battery you will be using. You will need to recharge them. Save time by having a second battery so that you can continue working while charging the replacement. Also, consider fuel charges. If you take a forklift with a full tank and return it empty, you may be subject to fuel and fill-up surcharges. These are likely higher than what you would pay for a gallon of gas on the market.
If your next home rental project is timely, you might benefit by searching Sun Equipment For Sale to buy instead of renting. It’s possible this could greatly reduce your overall costs. Who knows, you might find other big home projects to do next!
