If your warehouse operation relies heavily on electric forklift trucks, do you know what the real cost to your business is? And if not, how to work this out?
Here are some of the factors to consider when planning materials handling fleets, in order to understand the real cost of owning an electric forklift.
Buying an electric forklift
The initial financial outlay is a factor to consider when acquiring an electric lift truck. This could be the purchase price or up-front leasing costs, plus associated investments such as taxes and insurance. To understand the total cost of ownership (TCO), other factors to consider include:
•maintenance and servicing costs (and any associated downtime)
•the choice of tyres (and replacements)
•batteries, and battery replacement costs
•battery charging time, energy costs, and installation of infrastructure
•operator costs, including recruitment, wages and training
•costs related to lift truck misuse
•other unexpected extra costs.
Ultimately the TCO for an electric lift truck comes down to its usage.
Do the electric forklifts operate in tight spaces?
Many warehouses are designed with space saving in mind, featuring narrow aisles and tall racking. Visibility and manoeuvrability are two challenges when moving goods in a warehouse with limited space. Both can impact on operational efficiency and costs.
The Yale® Series N electric forklift features a mast which offers excellent visibility through the two channels. When it comes to manoeuvrability in tight warehouse spaces, the zero-turn radius is an important factor.
Will the electric forklifts be operating across long shifts?
Truck reliability and lifespan can be key. For example, a more basic forklift used intensively would experience more wear and tear. It may need to be repaired more often or replaced sooner. While initial acquisition costs may have been lower, this is a false economy.
Are forklift operators productive?
Over long warehouse shifts operator fatigue can impact on efficiency so ergonomic design is a vital consideration. The Yale Series N electric forklift has many smart design features that contribute to an enhanced operator experience, boosting confidence and efficiency, such as a spacious cabin with a user-friendly touch screen. The operator environment can also be customised. Because a comfortable operator is a productive one. Are the electric forklifts used inside and outside?
In the past, for operations that move goods both indoors and outdoors, separate trucks may have been required. Today, an electric forklift such as the Yale ERP2.2-3.5N can flex to both indoor and outdoor tasks. Purchasing just one forklift, rather than two, is a direct cost saving and saves on vehicle storage space. Time is also saved by removing the need for operators to switch trucks during the operation.
Find out more about configuring Yale Series N lift trucks for specific needs: www.yale.com
Or talk to a local Yale dealer.
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