Tips To Consider When Renting A Forklift For Your Home Or Business

Renting a forklift can provide you with the ability move and re-position pallets and larger-sized items around your work site or home and to varying levels of height. Whether you need a forklift for short-term or long-term use, renting the equipment allows you to use a well-maintained and new forklift at a lower cost than buying one. Here are some tips to consider when you are looking at renting a forklift for your own use at home or in your business.

Decide Your Forklift Needs

There are several types of forklifts that can lift varying weights of materials. Depending on the type of products or items you need to move and the environment you will be operating the forklift in, you can make the choice that best fits your needs. Also consider the weight of materials you need to move and transport, as different types of forklifts have varying capacity limits.

You can rent an internal combustion engine forklift, which runs on a petroleum fuel and can be used outside, such as in a lumber yard or dock. If your forklift will be utilized outside on uneven surfaces, you may consider renting a forklift that is equipped to work on rough terrain to help you safely move any loads between sites outside.

If you are looking for a forklift to be used in an indoor environment only, you may want to rent an electric forklift, which runs on battery power and is recharged at the end of each day or as the battery is drained. For indoor warehouse use where space is limited, you may consider a forklift with a three-wheel counter balance, which helps it maneuver better in tight spaces. But if your forklift will need to travel long distances within your warehouse or other indoor area, a four-wheel forklift is more able to complete the long distances while carrying heavy weight.

Calculate Your Budget

After you have decided what type of forklift you need for your circumstances, decide on the length of time you will need it. When you arrange to rent a forklift, the rental company will want to know if you need it short-term for a few days or week, or long-term for weeks and even months or years. You can usually get a discount rate when you arrange your rental time upfront and know exactly how long you will need the equipment.

Also make sure to take advantage of the maintenance service the rental company provides along with the forklift's use. This will ensure your forklift is kept running in good condition and any repairs can be taken care of on the equipment while you are renting it. Regular maintenance and tune-ups can also cover you in the event the equipment malfunctions or breaks down so you can have it repaired or replaced during the time you need the use the equipment.

To rent a forklift with a capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $350 each week or $750 to $1,000 each month. For a more heavy-duty forklift that has a capacity of 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $700 each week or $1,000 to $2,000 each month.

Follow Safety Protocol

It is also important to make sure the individual that will be working the forklift, whether it is you or an employee, is trained in how to operate it. OSHA requires an individual to be trained and certified to operate a forklift, and as their employer, you will need to have a record of this training and certification.

If you are using a forklift for your own personal needs, make sure you have a good understanding of how to operate the machinery, as you can cause serious injury to yourself or another person if you cause an accident. You can hire a forklift operator who is trained and certified if you are unable to operate the machinery. Or you may have a friend or acquaintance who can do this for you, or you can talk to a recruitment company about hiring a trained operator. 

Check out websites like http://www.laxequipmentrental.com to learn more.