What do you look for in a forklift?

PROSTOCKTOM said
I have an old dual wheel front pneumatic Hyster that I paid $1600 for 10 years ago. Like others have mentioned already, unless you plan to just use it inside on smooth concrete you want a pneumatic tires first and foremost. After that it depends on what height you want to achieve. Older single stage mast are tall and can only lift the height of the mast. A dual or three stage mast offers a lower overall mast height and can lift far higher than a single stage will. Then you start getting fancy with side shift. It's wonderful to have, but not necessary for a home shop guy. As far as tanks I have two aluminum propane tanks and they are a lot lighter than the steel versions. Just remember to wear a seatbelt if you have it outside or on uneven surfaces. Even the smaller ones are 5,000 - 6,000 pounds minimum and they can be laid over.

Tom

Prostocktom, You are dead right on the seatbelt issue, pun intended. OSHA forklift statistics indicate that tip over is the #1 cause of forklift fatalities. If a forklift begins to tip (hopefully you'll have your seatbelt on) but with or without it, do not attempt to jump off, as you will most likely be injured or killed by the overhead guard coming down and crushing you. Instead, brace yourself, hold onto the steering wheel, keep arms and legs within the operator compartment, lean away from the direction of tip, and ride it out. You may be injured but you won't be killed. Clark Equipment did a lot of research into forklift tip overs in the '80s and published "white papers" on the issue. They call it the "fly swatter" effect, it starts slow and gets very fast, you can't outjump it.