Forklift Rental: What to Expect When You're Expecting (to Rent, That Is)

A need for a forklift can be immediate or planned. Immediate needs can occur due to broken equipment, season needs, or unexpected demand while planned needs are usually a result of bidding, contractual projects. For immediate needs, short-term projects and specialty lifts, the solution is renting. Forklifts can be rented daily, weekly, or monthly to meet your specific circumstance. So, what should you expect when you are planning to rent?

Maintenance Responsibility

The requirements to rent from a forklift dealership, that typically rents for the purposes of industrial or commercial use, include having a one million dollar liability insurance policy and completing the credit application process. Once approved, the rate of the rental will depend upon the rented time frame of the lift. General maintenance is included in this rate; however, you may incur variable maintenance and damage costs while the rental is in your possession. Variable maintenance costs are expected costs including fuel or the need of a specialized attachment.

If operator abuse or unexpected incidents happen to the forklift while in your possession, you may be held liable and obligated to cover the cost of the damages to the forklift. Scratches on forklifts, torn seats, broken lights and cut tires are the most common damage costs incurred. However, these can be avoided with cautious and trained operators and pedestrians.

Availability

Availability is being able to get what you need when you need it. Availability of forklifts will differ from dealership to dealership, but typically the machinery can be received within an hour to a week of the request. Many will carry brand specific forklifts and much of a company's rental fleet with be shared among various branch locations. A significant portion of availability will depend largely on utilization - the percentage of available lifts versus what is currently being rented. It is not uncommon for a dealership to have 80% of its rental fleet rented at any given time. If the piece of equipment you need is in the 80% that is currently on rent, it can take up to a week to locate that piece of equipment from another branch location and deliver it to you.

Considerations

When considering renting from a dealership or a rental company, know that all forklift equipment is not maintained the same. The age of the equipment, the maintenance of the fleet, and whether the rental forklift is "rent ready" will contribute to the overall rental experience. As a forklift ages, it becomes less ergonomic for the operator, reducing productivity. A well maintained forklift will be "rent ready," ensuring an unlikely probability that issues will occur and the forklift will be in optimal operating condition for the entire stint of your rental agreement.

Making the Right Decision When Renting a Forklift

Figuring out the best budgetary decision for your industrial equipment needs can be a challenging task. Sometimes it makes financial sense to purchase, but often a short or long term rental might be a better decision for your company's needs. That is why Shoppa's Mid America keeps a huge on-site rental fleet with inventory of forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, aerial equipment, pallet jacks and floor cleaning equipment for a wide variety of application needs. Short term rentals are available by the day, week or month. Long term rentals and rent-to-own programs are also available. The rental fleet includes lift trucks that range from 3,000 lbs. to 17,500 lbs. capacity. The pneumatic and cushion units are also available in propane, gas or diesel.

Short Term Rentals

"Keeping a rental fleet of new and late model lift trucks and other material handling equipment ensures that we get our customers the equipment they need to get the job done," says Robert Horine, Rental Manager, at Shoppa's Mid America. "It's your when you want it, and ours when you don't."

"We have one of the largest rental fleets in our area," he continued. "It is important to us to make sure that our customers have the right truck for the job. Before delivering a unit, we make sure that we review all the specifications: capacity, mast height, tire type, fuel type, etc. Even if our customers are not sure of what they need, we walk them through the process to match the correct equipment for the application."

As the exclusive authorized dealer for Toyota, Shoppa's Mid America knows its equipment, and more importantly knows what equipment is best suited to get your job done. The dealership keeps a large fleet of many capacities and capabilities. "I like to say that we specialize in getting you the right type of equipment." Horine added.

Long Term Rentals

Shoppa's Mid America also offers long term rentals. Full maintenance leases are offered with up to six years of guaranteed up time. We want to help your company get out of the forklift business so you can concentrate on what your company does best. Let us manage your fleet through a long term rental program.

The representatives at Shoppa's Mid America are very customer service oriented. Your business is not a square peg that they are trying to ft into a round hole. From specification matching though delivery, the courteous representatives will expedite getting your company the lift trucks and other equipment you need.

Shoppa's Mid America is also very competitive on long and short term rental units, offering some of the most attractive rental rates in the area. Contact us today to find out if we have a solution that meets your needs!