In addition to core basic parameters such as load capacity, lifting height, and endurance, the consideration of additional requirements directly affects the adaptability, operational efficiency, and long-term operation and maintenance costs of the equipment. Combined with actual operating scenarios and management needs, the following types of additional requirements should be focused on:
Additional Requirements for Operating Scenario Adaptation
Special Environment Protection Configuration
- For operation in low-temperature cold storage (≤-10℃): Select cold-resistant batteries (e.g., low-temperature lithium batteries), cold-resistant hydraulic oil, cab heating devices, and anti-slip and wear-resistant tires to avoid sudden drops in battery capacity and hydraulic system jams.
- For operation in dusty or debris-laden environments (e.g., building materials and ore plants): Install fully enclosed cabs, dust filtration systems, and dust-proof shields for motors and controllers to prevent dust intrusion from causing component wear or short circuits.
- For operation in flammable and explosive environments (e.g., chemical plants and oil storage warehouses): Customize explosion-proof electric forklifts equipped with explosion-proof motors, explosion-proof batteries, anti-static tires, and spark suppression devices, complying with national explosion-proof standards (e.g., Ex ⅡB T4).
Attachments for Narrow Space Operation
For warehouses with narrow aisles and dense shelves, select the following attachments:
- Side shifters: Adjust the left and right positions of the forks to reduce the number of forklift turns.
- Fork positioners: Manually or electrically adjust the fork spacing to adapt to different pallet sizes.
- Reach masts: The mast can extend forward, improving stacking flexibility in narrow spaces.
High-Altitude / Climbing Requirements
If the operating site has an altitude above 1500m or a slope exceeding 10%, customize high-power motors, reinforced drive axles, and hill-climb anti-slip modes to avoid motor power attenuation and the risk of slipping during climbing.
Additional Requirements for Battery and Charging Support
Charging Facility Configuration
- If there are no fixed charging stations on-site: Require suppliers to provide matching portable charging piles and charging cable storage racks.
- If multi-shift continuous operation is needed: Choose a combination of fast-charging batteries and fast-charging piles (confirm that the batteries support fast charging without the risk of service life loss).
- For centralized charging of multiple forklifts: Equip an intelligent charging management system to realize time-sharing charging, overload protection, and remote monitoring of charging status, reducing electrical safety risks.
Battery Maintenance and Backup Solutions
- For high-demand scenarios: Require suppliers to provide regular battery inspection services and backup battery rental plans to avoid operational interruptions caused by battery failures.
- For lead-acid batteries: Equip battery watering tools and electrolyte storage tanks.
- For lithium batteries: Equip battery thermal management systems and fault early warning devices.
Additional Requirements for Safety and Operational Protection
Active Safety Configuration
- Essential features: Reverse image/radar, audible and visual alarm devices, emergency stop buttons, and seat belt unbuckled alarms.
- Advanced features: Collision avoidance warning systems (using millimeter-wave radar to detect obstacles), speed limiters (programmable maximum speed based on site conditions), automatic parking functions (automatic locking when parking on slopes), Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS), and Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS).
Operational Comfort Configuration
For long-duration operation scenarios, select the following configurations to reduce operator fatigue:
- Suspended seats
- Multifunctional control levers (integrating lifting, tilting, and side-shifting functions)
- Cab air conditioning/ventilation systems
- Shock-absorbing chassis
Personnel Training and Qualification Support
Require suppliers to provide free operator training, safety operation manuals, and assistance services for special equipment registration (electric forklifts are classified as special equipment and require registration and licensing).
Additional Requirements for Operation and Maintenance Management and Cost Control
After-Sales and Maintenance Services
- Clarify the warranty scope and period (it is recommended that core components such as motors, batteries, and controllers have a warranty of at least 2 years).
- Require local after-sales service outlets, 24-hour emergency maintenance response, and spare parts inventory for wearing parts (e.g., tires, filters, contactors).
Intelligent Management Systems
Opt for a forklift Internet of Things (IoT) system to enable vehicle positioning, operation time statistics, battery level monitoring, and automatic fault reporting, facilitating fleet scheduling and preventive maintenance.
Residual Value and Replacement Programs
For long-term procurement plans, require suppliers to provide used forklift trade-in subsidies and battery recycling programs to reduce equipment renewal costs.
Customized Attachments and Industry-Specific Requirements
Industry-Specific Attachments
- Warehousing industry: Carton clamps, soft bag clamps, rotators (suitable for cargo flipping and stacking).
- Cold chain industry: Stainless steel forks, corrosion-resistant hydraulic systems.
- Manufacturing industry: Pushers (for automatic unloading), scrap metal clamps (for handling metal scrap).
Logo and Compliance Customization
Require customized corporate logos and safety warning signs on the forklift body, and equip with equipment nameplates (including model, load capacity, manufacture date, etc.) to meet enterprise management and safety supervision inspection requirements.
Conclusion
The selection of additional requirements must be closely aligned with actual operating scenarios to avoid cost waste caused by blind pursuit of high-end configurations. It is recommended that before procurement, sort out the four core elements: operating environment, load type, shift schedule, and management requirements, and then confirm the necessity and cost proportion of additional configurations with suppliers item by item.
