Cheapo fork lift

[baconbarm]

I'm moving into my new workshop at the end of jan and I'm planning of getting a fork lift....

Sorry for the silly questions but I've never bought one before...

Firstly it won't be taking huge loads. Just gates and railings.

It's indoors use mainly...so is Propane best or electric?

Does it need an mot style test every year? I'd do my best to avoid that tbh

 

[WorkshopChris]

Do you employ anyone? All depends on how the rules are interpreted.
Your insurers may require a annual test.

 

[wristpin]

Should have an insurance inspection every year. Possibly not if you don't have any employees.
Problem with battery electric is that when the batteries die it is mega expensive to replace them. An alternative is to rent the batteries or buy part used ones that wont support a full shift in a warehouse but are plenty good enough for intermittent use.

 

[baconbarm]

Should have an insurance inspection every year. Possibly not if you don't have any employees.
Problem with battery electric is that when the batteries die it is mega expensive to replace them. An alternative is to rent the batteries or buy part used ones that wont support a full shift in a warehouse but are plenty good enough for intermittent use.

We'll that sounds like Propane would be a better option in that case?
There's no other employees as of yet, I've gone into partnership with another bloke so we're both like minded in that if nobody knows we've got a fork lift then there's no need to have anybody inspect it if you get my drift..

 

[evobilly666]

The above could easily be the cheapest advise of your life and not to be sniffed at.

 

[knighty]

if you're not going to use it much, go electric every time

you can leave it on charge 24/7 when you're not using it, once the battery is charged the charger kicks down onto float so it'll cost you pennies/week

lpg is a pain in the ****.. you need a couple of spare bottles, and if you forget to turn it off at the bottle the gas always manages to leak out


forklift prices are pretty high right now a few years ago £1000 could get you something really decent... now it seams £1000 is about normal for a sh$tter :-(

 

[ajlelectronics]

From a layman's point of view, the LPG option would emit CO which could build up in a closed indoor space, so I would say electric.

 

[winchman]

As per Mrfuzzy
If you omit any HSE type stuff then if it goes wrong you haven't a leg to stand on.
Drivers must be trained and wear a seat belt a common omission that is attracting prosecutions. All this working alone stuff isn't applicable as you owe a duty of care to Joe public as an error on your behalf could affect a passerby, customer in work shop, delivery driver etc, who would then claim you would then have to defend yourself

 

[wristpin]

Might never happen, but if the worst does happen, you'll wish you paid for the inspection (which prob wouldn't be that much compared with the purchase cost - I've seen £100-£200 bandied about), also consider if the forklift fails in a way that an inspection would have picked up...any insurance you have to cover you for being off work would likely refuse to pay out / Damage to any customer property.........Quote

We used to employ a an independent inspector ( not attached to any specific insurer) who did the compressor, lifting gear and the lift truck, all at the same time and was not expensive, and that together with an annual maintenance inspection by the local mechanical handling company gave peace of mind.

 

[8ob]

I changed over to a propane forklift because of eye watering diesel fumes in the workshop, gas is better than electric and probably the best of three evils but they dont like the cold and get through gas at quite a rate. The diesel forklift I had used so little fuel it was not something I thought about but a gas bottle on the Hyster wont last two weeks @£35 a pop, that said its in daily use. Low mast is useful, the type that are used to load inside containers and big wheels if its expected to run around on uneven ground.

Bob

£500 ish



Dont leave outside in the winter or you will spend time out there trying to thaw out the evaporator

 

[Jim Davey]

I have that exact same Hyster but with a Perkins Diesel engine. It's been an absolute gem of a truck.
Also a 2.5 and a 3 ton LPG Komatsu which I would heartily recommend.

 

[JEZGUZ]

I'd also get a FLT "licence", 3 day training course costs around £200, your insurance company will be happier I would think.

 

[winchman]

I'd also get a FLT "licence", 3 day training course costs around £200, your insurance company will be happier I would think.

Its good defence too

 

[wookie]

Are you sure you have got the gas bottle mounted correctly ? All the ones I've used the arrow had to point to the bottom as that's where the pickup point is so it draws liquid not gas.

 

[Parm]

You will need certified training, a medical and must be able to demonstrate that it's regularly serviced to comply with all legal requirements.

 

[Ton-up]

Are you sure you have got the gas bottle mounted correctly ? All the ones I've used the arrow had to point to the bottom as that's where the pickup point is so it draws liquid not gas.

Should be a pin on the trucks bottle carrier that locates in a hole on the gas bottle hanldle.

 

[ajlelectronics]

You will need certified training, a medical and must be able to demonstrate that it's regularly serviced to comply with all legal requirements.

It's no wonder that we no longer have people who can achieve things. There seems to be a movement to wrap everyone in cotton wool and prevent anything being done. I don,t think it will ever improve until UK PLc goes bust and has to start again.

The antics of the elf 'n safe tea brigade have done their utmost to make our aerial trade unviable. We manage but a perfectly safe job that would take an hour, takes three times that by the time all the nanny stuff is taken into account. Personally I am sick of it.

 

[Welderpaul]

In my experience....

Gas forklifts are better for your needs IMO. No messing with sloshing diesel everywhere/no fumes, no risk of a big hole in your pocket if the batteries went pop.
Yes, your machine needs a yearly inspection - we do, lots don't.
Operators need certification. We do, lots don't.

Don't buy a ramshackle old machine even though the cost might look attractive - they will cost you time and money, even if you can do repairs yourself.

Nissan are a good make. Avoid new electronically controlled Hysters - we've had two that handle really badly and are forever locking themselves out because they have a hissy fit about driving over a pebble

Buy a machine that's big enough. We started with a 1.5T, then 2T, then 4T, now looking at a 6T.


A medical? really @Parm ?

 

[Robotstar5]

A medical? really @Parm ?

We have to have a basic one (renewed every 5 years) before they will send us on the FLT (or any internal vehicle) course, mainly to check you are physically capable of controlling a vehicle and an eye test including peripheral vision.

 

[8ob]

Are you sure you have got the gas bottle mounted correctly ? All the ones I've used the arrow had to point to the bottom as that's where the pickup point is so it draws liquid not gas.

I always do but the guys just throw it in there any which way, I cant say for sure whether it makes any difference on this old clunker or not.

As for tickets training and loler inspections the HSE has a common sense approach, its large companies/employers using the services of overzealous H&S companies that make things overly complicated,time consuming,mind numbingly boring and expensive. All the HSE ask is that an operator of a machine has adequate training for its safe use and that is it, this can be structured in house training with basic instruction from a competent person. Lolers can be written out by someone who is familiar and experienced with lifting equipment, the same applies they need no qualifications. An associate of mine had a huge landscape contract running with the council, for "tickets" he had a small classroom where he took all new oppo`s and they were given short structured lessons on the equipment they were expected to use followed by a questionnaire. Tickets/qualifications were written out at the end ( worthless elsewhere) and it was off to work , the whole process was a couple of hours which makes a mockery of recognised qualifications taking days or weeks. Make what you will of it.

Bob