Forklift hire

A forklift is used for lifting objects in a warehouse or on an industrial site, especially pallets are often lifted with a forklift truck. Other names for a forklift are lift truck, jitney, fork truck, fork hoist, and forklift truck. Characterising the look of a forklift are its forks, two protruding flat, metal rods at the front, which can be moved under a pallet after which the pallet can be lifted. When there is peak demand, hiring a forklift for a short period can be a better alternative than buying an additional one.

Depending on the type of job you want to achieve, take into account the following characteristics to find a suitable forklift for hire:

• Power source: The type of power source can be electric, diesel or gas (LPG). The advantage of electric and gas powered forklifts is that they can be used indoors, for diesel forklifts this is prohibited. Also, the performance of gas forklifts is usually higher as they have a higher power to weight ratio (travel speed, acceleration rate, lift speed)
• All terrain: All terrain tyres allow the use on rough and unfinished ground
• Lift capacity: The maximum weight the forklift can lift, typically ranging from 1 tonne to 25 tonnes
• Maximum lift height: Maximum height to which the forklift can lift, typically ranging from 3 to 7 meters

There is a range of attachment for a forklift that you can hire, broadening the types of jobs for which a forklift can be used:

• Forklift extensions: Fitted to the standard fork lifts increasing fork length by up to 150%
• Gantry jibs: Turn a forklift into a mobile crane for handling heavy loads
• Self tipping forklift skip: Ideal when using a forklift for filling a skip
• Access cages: Allow working at height as a lower height alternative to scissor lifts and cherry pickers

If you want to drive a forklift, you need to have a FLT License (Fork Lift Truck license) or forklift certificate, which you can obtain as of age 17 from a variety of accredited training providers throughout the UK. A training course typically takes 3-5 days and consists of theory and lectures, practical training, and final written and practical assessments. You can find an accredited training provider through the Association of Industrial Truck trainers (AITT), the Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR), the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) or the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB). Visit the HSE website for more information on lift-truck training.

When using a forklift it is recommended to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Recommended safety equipment for a forklift consists of the following: safety helmet, safety footwear, ear protection and protective gloves.