What to Expect When You Rent a Forklift

If you use forklifts to meet the needs of your business, you may want to purchase them outright, but renting may be a better way to go.  Renting a forklift is a much better option if any of the following apply to your business:

• You only need the forklift for a limited period of time-if your business demands fluctuate during the year, you may only need the forklift at your busiest times.
• If you’re not sure what model will work best in your environment-renting your forklifts will allow to try different models, so you’ll know what works best for your application.
• You don’t want the expense of purchasing-if you have a limited budget, purchasing may be out of range, so renting becomes a viable option.
• Your forklift is in the shop-you many need to replace your own forklift with a rental while yours is being repaired.
• You don’t want the expense of maintenance and repairs-generally speaking, forklift maintenance and repairs for a rented forklift are handled by the forklift dealer

What to Expect

Getting the right equipment-if you’re not exactly sure what you need, your dealer can review your needs and expectations and make recommendations so that you’ll get the proper equipment. Forklifts come with different wheels and tires based on where they’ll be used. Some are suited only for indoor use, while others may have all terrain tires that can used indoors or outdoors. The dealer will want to know the particulars of weight of the loads, the size of your loads, and a number of other specifications to help determine the suitability of a particular lift.

Forklift rental availability-availability of the exact equipment you need will vary from one dealer to another.  In most cases, your dealer will have equipment on hand and will be able to fill your order promptly, sometimes in as little as an hour or so. It’s important therfore to rent from a dealer that keeps a large inventory on hand. If your needs are unique, it may take some time for the dealer to supply the right forklift.

Maintenance and Repairs-Generally speaking, your forklift dealer will take care of any maintenance or repairs during the rental period, but make sure to discuss this with your dealer so there’s no confusion or misunderstandings.

Operator competence-Before you can take delivery of a rental forklift, you must show the dealer that your operator has the training that is required by OSHA. If you don’t have a trained operator, most dealers will provide the training necessary to safely operate the lift.

Equipment condition-You should expect a rental forklift to arrive at your job site in work-ready condition. Before you accept delivery, you should inspect the forklift to make sure it’s up to standards. If there’s any existing damage to the forklift, make sure you note that and that the dealer is aware of it. Also, check the forklift for any required safety features and make sure they’re all operational, check fluid levels, and make sure the battery is sufficiently charged.

Billing agreement-The dealer will want to make sure they have all of the correct billing and delivery information, and you should know exactly what to expect in terms of periodic payments to the dealer. 

What’s required of you-in order to rent a forklift, your business will be required to provide proof of good credit as well as sufficient liability insurance in the event that the equipment is damaged or someone is injured from an accident with the forklift.

Final Words

There are many situations where your business may be well served by renting a forklift. When such a situation arises, make sure that the dealer is reputable, has significant experience with equipment rentals, and that they provide the right equipment in good working condition. Ask the dealer to fully explain every aspect of the rental agreement so they’ll be no confusion as to the terms.

If you’re have any questions or concerns about renting a piece of equipment, you should check with the professionals at Ring Power Lift Trucks. We are the premier forklift dealer in Florida with a broad range of forklifts as well as other materials handling equipment. We represent all of the leading forklift manufacturers and can work with you to select a new or used forklift for your operation. We also offer short term and long term forklift rentals. We serve Jacksonville, Sarasota, and many other locations in Florida, and our service go beyond sales and rentals. We can also supply you with forklift parts and service to minimize your downtime.

If you would like any more information about the products or services we offer, visit our website or reach out to us at 877-544-5438.