Skip to content 
Table of Contents
Are you planning to buy a forklift but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Choosing the right forklift is crucial for warehouse efficiency and safety — but the options can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the world of material handling.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the right decision. We’ll break down types of forklifts, their best use cases, and how to match them to your warehouse size, load type, and operational demands.
Why Choosing the Right Forklift Matters
The right forklift:
- Increases productivity
- Reduces product and equipment damage
- Improves worker safety
- Lowers long-term maintenance costs
But the wrong forklift? It does the opposite.
Let’s help you avoid costly mistakes by identifying the right solution for your situation.
What Do You Need to Lift — And Where?
Before we dive into types of forklifts, ask yourself:
- What is the weight of the heaviest load you need to lift?
- How high do you need to lift it?
- Are you working indoors, outdoors, or both?
- What’s your warehouse size and aisle width?
- How often will the forklift be used?
- Are you handling pallets, long items, or irregular loads?
These answers determine which forklift type fits your needs.
Types of Forklifts and Where They Fit Best
✅ Counterbalance Forklift
Best for: Standard indoor warehouses with wide aisles
Key Features:
- The most common type
- Has forks in the front and a weight in the back to balance loads
- Simple to operate and very versatile
Use in:
- Medium to large warehouses
- Loading/unloading trucks
- Moving palletized goods
Recommended model: Electric for indoors, LPG or diesel for outdoor use
✅ Reach Truck
Best for: Narrow aisle indoor warehouses with high racking
Key Features:
- Designed for tight spaces
- Excellent vertical reach
- Not ideal for rough surfaces
Use in:
- Tall racking warehouses
- Cold storage
- Narrow aisle operations (less than 10 ft wide)
Recommended model: Electric reach truck
✅ Walkie Stacker / Pallet Stacker
Best for: Small warehouses with light to medium loads
Key Features:
- Operator walks behind or rides on platform
- Low cost and compact
- Ideal for lower height stacking
Use in:
- Startups, retail stockrooms
- Small storage areas
- Areas with low ceilings
Recommended model: Electric walkie stacker
✅ Pallet Jack (Manual or Electric)
Best for: Light, short-distance material movement
Key Features:
- Doesn’t lift loads high
- Very compact and cost-effective
- No license required in most areas
Use in:
- Small backrooms
- Retail or food storage
- Loading docks with low stacking needs
Recommended model: Electric for frequent use; manual for occasional use
✅ Rough Terrain Forklift
Best for: Outdoor construction sites or uneven ground
Key Features:
- Big tires and powerful engines
- Handles heavy loads on dirt or gravel
- Not suitable for indoor use
Use in:
- Construction yards
- Lumber yards
- Farms
Recommended model: Diesel-powered rough terrain forklift
✅ Telehandler (Telescopic Handler)
Best for: Outdoor sites needing extra reach and lifting height
Key Features:
- Boom-style forklift
- Can lift loads very high and at angles
- Often used with attachments
Use in:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Specialized high-reach applications
Recommended model: Diesel telehandler
✅ Side Loader Forklift
Best for: Long or wide loads in narrow spaces
Key Features:
- Operator faces forward while forks extend sideways
- Great for moving pipes, timber, or metal sheets
Use in:
- Steel yards
- Timber yards
- Warehouses with long goods and narrow aisles
Choosing Based on Warehouse Size
🏢 Small Warehouse (under 10,000 sq ft)
- Best Picks: Electric pallet jack, walkie stacker, compact reach truck
- Reason: You need something small, maneuverable, and cost-effective.
🏢 Medium Warehouse (10,000–50,000 sq ft)
- Best Picks: Counterbalance forklift, reach truck
- Reason: You’ll need a balance between lifting power and maneuverability.
🏭 Large Warehouse (over 50,000 sq ft)
- Best Picks: Multiple forklift types — counterbalance for bulk movement, reach truck for high racks, pallet jacks for floor-level work
- Reason: Efficiency and specialization are key.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Use
Condition | Best Power Type |
Indoor use only | Electric (zero emissions, quiet) |
Indoor + occasional outdoor | LPG (cleaner than diesel, flexible) |
Outdoor / uneven ground | Diesel or rough terrain models |
Other Factors You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Aisle Widths: Reach trucks and narrow aisle forklifts are ideal for tight spaces.
- Load Height: Don’t forget to check the maximum lift height you’ll need.
- Operator Comfort & Safety: Consider seat ergonomics, visibility, and safety features.
- Maintenance & Support: Choose brands with local support and easy spare parts.
- Budget: Always balance short-term cost with long-term performance and reliability.
New vs. Used Forklifts: Which to Buy?
New Forklift | Used Forklift |
Warranty and latest tech | Lower upfront cost |
Long-term reliability | Good for light use or backup |
Higher cost upfront | Must check condition carefully |
For most new warehouse operations, a new electric counterbalance or stacker is a safe and flexible choice.
Final Tips Before Buying
- Visit your warehouse and measure your aisle widths and ceiling height
- Estimate your load weight and volume per day
- Consider future growth: will your operation expand soon?
- Ask for a demo or trial from the forklift dealer
- Make sure you train your operators and follow OSHA safety rules
More Articles
Please check the following for more articles.
