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Got A Big Project Coming Up? 4 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Rent A Forklift

by Phil Lawrence

If you need to rent a forklift, you'll need to do some careful planning, especially if you've never rented one before. Forklifts are heavy equipment, which means you need to take special care when operating them. To make sure you don't encounter serious problems, here are four questions you should ask yourself before you rent your forklift. 

Who Will Operate the Forklift?

When it comes to renting a forklift, the first thing you should do is determine who will be operating the equipment. Forklift operation requires hours of training. If you're going to have an untrained person operating the forklift, you could put them, and others, at risk for accidents and injuries. If you don't have anyone with a forklift license to operate the equipment, it's a good idea to hire a forklift operator as well. 

How Much Do You Need to Lift?

If you're going to get a forklift rental, you need to know how much you're going to be lifting for this project. Forklifts are designed with specific weight limitations. If you try to lift a load that's too heavy for the forklift you've rented, you could encounter serious problems. In fact, the forklift could collapse or tip over. Both events could lead to catastrophic injuries. Before you rent a forklift, make sure you know the weight of the loads you'll be lifting. That way, you can rent a forklift that can handle the weight. 

What is Your Height Lift Requirement?

If you need to rent a forklift, make sure you've determined your height lift requirement. That's the height that the forks need to lift for your load. Identifying your height lift requirement will allow you to choose a forklift that has the appropriate maximum lift capacity for your project. Be sure to take measurements before you head to the rental yard. That way, you'll know what equipment you'll need. If you're not sure what your lift needs are, be sure to rent a forklift that has the highest lift capacity. That way, you won't run into problems. 

Where Will You be Operating the Forklift?

Finally, if you're going to be renting a forklift, make sure you consider the area where you'll be working. Forklifts are equipped with tires that are designed to maneuver over different terrains. If you're going to be operating your forklift on rugged terrain, you'll need a forklift that can accommodate that type of surface.

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