How To Choose The Best Order Picking Forklift For Business

Posted by Ali Tariq on December 2nd, 2022

Order-picking forklifts can greatly improve the efficiency of this process. But how do you choose the best one for your business? Here are 8 factors to consider when choosing an order picking forklift:

  1. Lift capacity:

Lift capacity is the maximum weight that can be lifted by the forklift. It is measured in pounds or kilograms and will vary depending on the model. The lift capacity of a forklift is affected by its type, size and configuration, as well as the operator's skill level. The operator should always check the lift capacity before loading any materials.

  1. Lift height:

This is the distance from the ground to the forks or pallet stacker attachment on an order picker forklift. This number should be matched up with your warehouse layout so that the machine can easily reach all areas of your facility without having to back up into a corner or over an object.

  1. Aisle width:

In warehouses and factories where there are many shelves and racks, it can be difficult to manoeuvre around with larger vehicles such as order-picking forklifts because they are too wide and could damage the structure of the building if they hit something accidentally while turning corners. 

If this sounds like your situation, consider buying a narrower vehicle instead so that it can fit through tight spaces without damaging anything on either side of it!

  1. Turning radius:

In warehouses and factories, there are often multiple locations where products need to be picked from. The turning radius is therefore an important factor in determining which forklift you should use. 

Ideally, it should be as small as possible so that the driver can easily navigate through tight spaces or even make U-turns without having to back up or turn around. A smaller turning radius will also allow for faster travel speeds since less time will be spent manoeuvring through tight spaces.

  1. Travel speed:

Travel speed is measured in feet per minute (FPM) or metres per minute (MPM). The higher the number, the faster the forklift will go — but also the more fuel it will consume and the greater its impact on emissions. Therefore, travel speed should be balanced against other factors such as fuel efficiency, load capacity and price.

  1. Operational costs:

The cost of operating an order-picking forklift varies depending on its fuel type (diesel or electricity), load capacity, and whether or not it features an electric clutch system that enables it to start without a key in the ignition or battery drain protection system to prevent engine damage if the battery is disconnected accidentally (which is particularly common for electric models).

You should also consider whether or not your operator will need to do an order picker course, special training or certification before operating a particular model, as this can affect operational costs as well (for example, some operators may receive paid training from their employer while others may have to pay for their own).

  1. Maintenance costs:

You need to be aware that the cost of maintaining a forklift can vary depending on factors like:

  • The age of the machine (older machines may require more frequent repairs).

  • The type of fuel used by the machine (diesel or gasoline).

  • Whether it's gas-powered or electric-powered (electric-powered forklifts tend to require less maintenance than gas-powered ones).

  1. Availability of replacement parts:

The availability of replacement parts is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an order picking forklift. You want to ensure that there are enough replacement parts available for your machine. This will ensure that you can fix any problems that occur and keep your forklift running smoothly. If a part breaks, will it be easy to replace? Are there any alternatives that you can use in the meantime?

Wrap up:

By considering these factors, you can choose the best order-picking forklift for your business and improve your order-picking efficiency.

Like it? Share it!


Ali Tariq

About the Author

Ali Tariq
Joined: April 19th, 2018
Articles Posted: 930

More by this author