Once you know what lift truck capacity and fuel type are best for your situation, there are other options to consider as well.

There are two types of tires to choose from: cushion tires, which are made of solid rubber, and pneumatic tires, which are inflated with compressed air. For internal applications, cushion tires are the best choice; for outdoor work, you may want more expensive pneumatic tires.

A third option, solid pneumatic tires, are ideal for outdoor environments where there’s a high risk of popping regular pneumatic tires: lumber yards or recycling centers where nails or glass can be scattered around. They combine the solid-rubber construction of cushion tires with the rough terrain capabilities of pneumatic tires, and typically are more expensive than the other two types.

Because they are used for inside work, electric forklifts are usually only available with cushion tires. For heavy-duty lifting outdoors on uneven terrain, a gasoline or diesel lift truck with pneumatic tires is the most common choice. The salesman should be able to provide guidance on your specific application.

In a warehouse setting, the size of the lift truck may be an issue as well. Standard lift trucks need aisles that are 11' wide or larger to be able to operate and turn around. For aisles that are 8' to 10' wide, you will need a narrow aisle (NA) truck; for aisles down to 6' wide, you will need a very narrow aisle (VNA) truck. These narrow aisle trucks have forks that are turned at a right angle, so they can drive straight down the aisle but pick up loads to the side.

Other considerations you should take into account:

• Safety features. Back-up beepers, flashing amber lights, headlights, and other safety features are sold standard with most fork lift trucks. State regulations vary, but we recommend that you always include them in your shopping.
• Ergonomics. They may seem like amenities, but for employees who will be using your lift trucks all day long, adjustable seats and comfortable controls can reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries and make for a more productive workforce.
• Attachments. You can tailor your lift truck to better handle specific types of materials: tools to pick up rolls of cable or steel, tongs for handling 55 gallon drums, flat panels for lifting items that aren’t on pallets, and more. Most attachments are standardized so they can be used on any forklift, so if you only occasionally need to move odd-shaped loads, you may be able to buy one attachment and use it with any of your lift trucks.
• Sideshift. This very popular option allows the operator to move the load left and right without moving the truck, allowing much more precise placement of loads.
• Tilt mast. The ability to tilt the mast and forks forward and back greatly simplifies loading the truck on uneven ground. Tilting the mast back slightly also provides greater stability while moving a loaded truck.