Posts tagged ‘renting a forklift’
Why Rent Narrow Aisle Forklifts Before You Buy
When space is a premium commodity, shifting to narrow aisles is often a straightforward and effective warehouse solution to accommodate more products in the same space. This blog post explores common and narrow warehouse aisle widths, the forklift solutions available to navigate narrow aisles in your warehouse or distribution center, and why you should rent narrow aisle forklifts before you buy.
Common and Narrow Aisle Widths
Here is a quick rundown of regular warehouse aisle widths and narrow aisle widths:
- Regular aisles typically span between 10 ½ feet and 12 feet.
- Narrow aisles generally are 8 ½ feet to 10 ½ feet.
- Very narrow aisles, the most space-saving option, can be as narrow as 5 to 7 feet.
Four Forklift Solutions for Narrow Aisles
Many warehouses today rely on forklift fleets designed to navigate standard aisle widths. However, transitioning to narrower aisles often requires upgrading or adding new forklifts to ensure peak efficiency.
Here are four cutting-edge forklift solutions tailored for narrow and very narrow aisles:
- Toyota Electric Reach Truck—Single or Double Reach: Toyota’s electric reach truck offers unparalleled efficiency, navigating aisles as narrow as seven feet. It can lift loads to 4,500 pounds and reach heights exceeding 30 feet, maximizing productivity, especially in double-reach configurations.
- Toyota Electric Order Picker: Designed to access goods stored at height, Toyota’s Order Picker excels in navigating narrow aisles while ensuring operator safety and efficiency. Equipped with a platform, it facilitates seamless picking of items up to 390 inches in height.
- Aisle-Master Articulating Very Narrow Aisle Truck: Engineered for extreme space optimization, Combilift’s Aisle-Master Articulating Truck effortlessly maneuvers through aisles as narrow as 5 feet and 6 inches. Its robust construction and ability to handle heavy-duty tasks streamline operations, minimizing handling time and costs.
- Toyota’s Core Electric Turret Forklift: Toyota’s Core Electric Turret Forklift offers unparalleled versatility and a swinging fork face that enables handling loads from various angles without turning. With a lifting capacity of 2,500 pounds, it excels in dock-to-stock operations, even in aisles as narrow as seven feet.
Why You Should Rent Narrow Aisle Forklifts Before You Buy
Renting a narrow aisle forklift offers flexibility, cost savings, and access to top-notch equipment without hefty upfront investments. It allows businesses to scale their fleet as needed, access newer models with advanced features, and avoid maintenance burdens. With rental agreements often including maintenance services, it’s a practical and cost-effective solution for optimizing material handling operations.
TMHS offers daily, monthly, or long-term rental needs from our over 1000+ rental units available. All rental equipment includes maintenance and our rental replacement guarantee, which means that if your rental equipment is down for more than 24 hours, we’ll provide a replacement unit at no additional cost.
Optimizing Your Warehouse Operations with Narrow Aisle Forklifts
By embracing innovative forklift solutions designed for narrow aisles, warehouses can efficiently utilize space, streamline operations, and stay ahead in the competitive logistics landscape. If you’re considering narrowing aisle widths to increase storage capacity, our team of experts can help. Schedule a consultation today, and let us tailor the perfect narrow aisle solution to optimize your operations, reduce downtime, and enhance overall productivity.
Reasons Why You Should Rent a Forklift
If you are in the market for a forklift, you may wonder if you should buy or rent one. Both sides have pros and cons, but in general, renting a forklift is a more flexible option. Here are four benefits of renting a forklift:
- You can get the correct type of equipment for your short-term project needs.
- You can upgrade, or downgrade as needed.
- You can avoid the hassle and expense of owning a forklift.
- You have access to material handling experts to help with set-up and training.
GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR SHORT-TERM PROJECTS
If you only need a forklift for a short-term project, then renting is the way. Renting a forklift is also an excellent option for businesses that do not have the storage space for one.
Scissor lifts and boom lifts (sometimes called aerial work platforms) are popular short-term rentals. They offer many of the same benefits as a forklift but with a few key differences. 
- They are smaller and more maneuverable, making them ideal for tight spaces.
- Unlike some material handling equipment, you can use most scissor lifts and boom lifts indoors and outdoors.
- They have a smaller weight capacity than a forklift.
FLEXIBILITY TO UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE EQUIPMENT
Renting forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment allows you to upgrade or downgrade your equipment whenever your business needs change. If you need a bigger forklift for a new project, you can rent one. If your business is downsizing and you don’t need as much equipment, you can return the equipment you don’t need and only pay for what you use.
AVOID THE HASSLE AND EXPENSE OF OWNING EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT
Buying and maintaining forklifts and material-handling equipment is expensive. Not only do you have to pay for the equipment, but you also must pay for maintenance, repairs, and storage. Renting allows you to avoid the hassle and expense of buying and maintaining a forklift that you may not need in the long run.
GET HELP FROM MATERIAL HANDLING EXPERTS
You get help with setup and training if you rent forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and other equipment from experienced material handling dealerships. They can help you choose the right equipment for your needs and train you to use it safely. 
It’s important to remember that operators need to be trained to safely operate each type of equipment they use. For example, if your forklift driver is certified on 3-wheel electric forklifts and you rent an order picker, they will need additional training to comply with OSHA requirements.
Toyota Material Handling Solutions offers forklift operator safety training that includes classroom and hands-on instruction by Toyota-certified trainers. Click here to read our blog post with answers to common questions about forklift operator training.
If you need a forklift, aerial work platform, or other material-handling equipment for your business, consider renting instead of buying. You only pay for the equipment when you need it, and you don’t have to pay the expenses involved with owning expensive material-handling equipment. You’ll also have more flexibility and options and may even save money in the long run.
Toyota Material Handling Solutions has the industry’s most complete lineup of material handling solutions. Contact us to talk to a rental expert today!
FAQs About Renting vs. Buying a Forklift
Deciding whether to rent or buy a forklift is an important financial decision. There is much to consider, and the process might leave you with more questions than answers.
We have prepared a quick list of the benefits of renting and buying a forklift and also answered ten frequently asked questions about renting vs. buying a forklift so you can make the best decision for your needs.
BENEFITS OF RENTING VS. BUYING A FORKLIFT
Benefits of Renting Forklifts and Material Handling Equipment
- No maintenance budget or forklift techs required
- Get equipment with the latest ergonomics and technology
- Flexibility to switch equipment whenever you need
- Great for seasonal highs and lows
Benefits of Buying Forklifts and Material Handling Equipment
- Pay for only the features you want and need
- Customize your equipment with special forks and other options
- Buying capital equipment can have tax and other financial benefits
FAQS ABOUT RENTING A FORKLIFT VS. BUYING A FORKLIFT
Here are answers to ten frequently asked questions about renting vs. buying a forklift.
- Who takes care of maintenance on rental forklifts? The rental company will take care of servicing your forklift if any problems arise. They should also provide replacement equipment at no charge while your initial rental is out of service.
- What is the difference between a short- and long-term forklift rental? Short-term rentals range from weeks to up to six months. Long-term rentals range from six months and longer.
- We have rough terrain. Should we rent or buy a forklift? You should consider buying a forklift if you work in a harsh environment. Excessive wear and tear on rental material handling equipment could cost you.
- We have limited capital. Should we rent or buy a forklift? Renting a forklift has lower upfront costs than buying a forklift.
- What is in a forklift rental agreement? Most rental agreements include delivery, pick-up, service, maintenance, etc. Make sure there are no hidden costs when you compare quotes.
- Can we rent forklift attachments and accessories? Yes. Many companies rent propane tanks, fork positioners, paper roll clamps, and other add-on equipment.
- Can we rent-to-own material handling equipment? Yes. Many rental equipment companies have rent-to-own contract options.
- Are there benefits to renting from a material handling dealer? Material handling dealers specialize in forklifts and warehouse equipment; you will have a broader range of equipment to choose from and access to experts in the field.
- We need extra forklifts during our busy season. Should we rent or buy? Material handling equipment is expensive. It is best to rent if you only need additional equipment for a few weeks or months a year.
- We have multiple locations but do not have a way to transport material handling equipment between them. Should we rent or buy? If you need to move equipment between sites and do not want to purchase another piece of equipment, renting might be better. The rental company can take care of delivery and pick up at each location, along with service, cleaning, and other things.
Have more questions, or are you ready to rent or buy? Contact us to speak to one of our material-handling experts today!