The significant benefits and uses of rental machinery to bring efficiency and savings to your sites.

The use of rental machines on site offers a wide range of benefits, from financial savings to practicality and flexibility. The use of rental machinery, such as forklifts and other heavy machinery, is a solution that meets the needs of a wide range of projects. At Uudenmaan Konepalvelu, we want to highlight the benefits of rental machinery, so if this is something that interests you, keep reading!

Financial savings

One of the main advantages of renting is the financial savings. By renting machines, you can avoid the large, upfront capital investments that are often necessary when purchasing new machines. By renting equipment only when needed, you can manage costs more effectively, paying only for the time you use it, without a long-term commitment.

Rental machines also allow you to test different types of machinery and equipment before making larger and more permanent purchases, allowing you to make better decisions and target your investments. This flexibility brings economic benefits, especially for smaller businesses or those who only need machines occasionally.

Want to ask more about renting? Contact us!

Flexible delivery of rental machines

Flexible delivery of rental machines is another key advantage. Machines are delivered to the site exactly when they are needed, reducing downtime and making site operations more efficient. This flexibility means that equipment are available exactly when they are needed and can be returned as soon as they are no longer required. This increases site efficiency and reduces unnecessary tying up of resources.

Forklift rental price and other examples of forklift rental prices

Trukkirent is a rental concept fine-tuned by Uusimaa Konepalvelu's years of experience, designed to meet the diverse needs of companies in a changing business environment. The range of rental machines includes a wide variety of different machines, suitable for a wide range of tasks.

Prices vary depending on the type of machines and the rental period. For example, forklift rental can be arranged at a competitive price, depending on the duration of the rental and the model of the forklift. For example, a short-term rental can cost around €100-200 per day, while longer-term contracts allow for much lower prices. This price flexibility allows companies to plan their budget more carefully and choose the rental option that suits them best. You can find out more about the prices of rental trucks on our Trukkirent page, here.

Below you will find the most common rental machines and their prices:

• Counterbalance trucks: Multi-purpose forklift trucks, ideal for moving and lifting goods.
• Stacking trolleys: from pushable and walk-behind models to driveable options ideal for warehouse work.
• Tracked and reach trucks: an excellent choice for working in confined spaces.
• Pallet jack and flatbed wagons: efficient solutions for short distance freight transport.
• Reachers: suitable for applications requiring lifting to high or otherwise inaccessible places. With suitable accessories, also suitable for lifting persons.

In addition, a range of accessories such as extension forks and lifting hooks are available to make the machines even more versatile.

Price list for rental machines

The pricing of the Trukkirent service is clear and competitive. Below are some examples of rental prices (prices are exclusive of VAT):

• Forklift (1000-2000 kg): 95,00 € / day or 650,00 € / month.
• pallet stacker (push-in): from 25,00 € / day or 220,00 € / month.
• Support forklift: from 60,00 € / day or 480,00 € / month.
• Reach truck: From 130,00 € / day or 750,00 € / month.
• telehandler: From 210,00 € / day or 2100,00 € / month.

Here you can find the full price list.

Used forklift resale and exchange

We have a constant demand for used forklift trucks and stacking trailers. If your forklift or machine is becoming obsolete, please consider offering it to us. You can also exchange your old forklift for one of our range of machines. 

If you still need your forklift, but would like to free up funds for other uses, we offer a convenient solution in the form of purchase and lease-back. Send us information about your machine for sale and we'll get to work. Contact us by email at [email protected].

To ensure safety and to prevent further damage, the condition of the forklift must always be checked before the start of the shift. If the forklift is used by more than one driver, inspections and reporting possible deficiencies/defects early is particularly important. Inspection is also useful when the driver is unfamiliar with the machine.

These are general instructions. The manufacturer of your forklift may have different policies or additional instructions regarding the inspection, so always refer to the manufacturer's manual for correct inspection of your model.

Always remember to report any defects, deficiencies or malfunctions immediately to your supervisor or the person who is responsible for maintaining the fleet.

Visual checks

• Tyres: Check for wear and cracks
• Lights: Check the condition and cleanliness of the lenses
• Instrument panel: Check the condition of the instrument panel 
• Forklift body: Are there any dents or other damage on the forklift body or cabin?
• Lifting parts: Inspect the mast, lifting chains, load backrest and any accessories for visible damage
• Forks: Check forks for misforming, wear and fractures
• Hydraulics: Are there leaks or other external damage to the hoses or lifting cylinders?
• Forklift surroundings: Are there any visbile fluid leaks after the forklift has been parked?

Functional checks

• LPG forklift: Check the attachment of the LPG cylinder and the tightness of the joint and look for corrosion 
• Battery: Check the attachment of battery connections (especially for electric trucks) and battery charge level
• Forks: Check the fastening of extension forks (if installed)
• Accessories: Check that the fork accessories are properly attached and fastened
• Tyres: Check air pressure of pneumatic tyres and adequate tightening of the wheel bolts / lugnuts
• Cab: Check that the driver's seat secures properly in place and that the seat belt is working

Liquid levels

• Hydraulic fluid level
• Brake fluid level
• Engine oil level
• Transmission oil level
• Engine coolant level
• Battery water level (electric forklifts)
• Fuel level

After starting

For internal combustion engine-powered forklifts, listen if engine is running normally and evenly. Is there excessive smoke? Also pay attention to any extra sounds, such as crackles and rattling noises.

• Check the operation of the parking brake
• Check the operation of the direction switch
• Check the functioning of the operating brake
• To check the smooth operation of the steering, turn the steering wheel from one extreme position to another
• Check all hydraulic functions: Lifting, lowering and tilting of forks
• Check the operation of any accessories: Side shifting and fork positioning
• Check the operation of all lights, signalling devices and reversing buzzer
• Check that all instrument panels are working
• Check the operation of the windshield wipers and heater

Forklift batteries require regular watering to ensure optimal functioning. Regular watering maintains the battery's ability to function and extends its lifespan. Watering also prevents corrosion of metal plates between battery cells.

This watering instruction works with most modern forklift batteries. If you are unsure about the watering process of your own battery or that of your rental machine, please contact us.

Download the instructions and print it  here

How often should a forklift battery be watered? It is difficult to give a perfect answer, as the battery, the charger and usage all have an effectt. Powerful chargers tend to dissipate more water than regular chargers. Filling up the battery after every third charge is a good rule of thumb. However, if the forklift has very little use (and only a few charging sessions), it is advisable to water the battery at least once a month.

1. Watering must always be carried out on a fully charged battery. If you need help charging your battery, please refer to our charging instructions via this link.

2. Place the watering container at a height of approximately 3 metres above the floor level (Fig. 1.)

2. Attach the quick connector of the watering container hose to the connector on the battery (Fig. 2).

3. When the battery water starts flowing into the cells, the flow meter of the watering system hose starts to rotate. (Figure 3).

4. When the flow meter has stopped, the watering is complete.

5. Check that the white indicators on the battery cells have popped up (Fig. 4).

6. Remove the quick connector.

Note

If there is water visible on top of the battery, there is excessive consumption of battery water, the battery performance has clearly decreased or the battery smells, please contact our maintenance department.

The battery is one of the most expensive components on an electric forklift, so it makes sense to take care of it as good as possible. By using your forklift battery correctly, you ensure the efficient operation of the battery and a long service life. The charging instructions below apply to most modern forklift batteries. If you are unsure about using and charging your own battery, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

1. Switch off the forklift from both the ignition switch and the main power switch (Fig. 1).

2. Open the battery cover (Fig. 2). Make sure that the cover is securely supported or tied to prevent the heavy cover from falling.

3. Disconnect the quick connector on the power cable of the truck (Fig. 3).

4. Connect the charger cable (Fig. 4).

5. Switch on the charger and check that charging starts. Charging usually takes about 6-8 hours, depending on the battery capacity and the output of the charger

6. Check that the charging has been completed. Switch off the charger.

Always switch off the charger first before disconnecting the charging cable. Battery charging generates gases that can explode if the cable is disconnected while charging is still in process.

7. Disconnect the charger cable from the battery.

8. Attach the forklift power cable to the battery

9. Close the battery cover

Forklift batteries should be watered down from time to time. Watering should always be carried out on the reserved battery. Read the watering instructions for the forklift battery in this article

Many of our customers know very precisely what kind of forklift best serves their needs. Sometimes, however, you may need to weigh your options and carefully consider selecting the best machine to suit your requirements. This guide provides a brief overview of the different types of forklifts and their basic features. The guide is by no means all-out, so if you think something was lacking after reading this article, we would be happy to provide more information. We're just a message, an e-mail, or a phone call away.

Basic requirements

Consider what you primarily need to lift? Are the loads pallets or perhaps more unusually shaped objects? And if you need to lift pallets, are the pallets standard size or are for example longer forks required for the task? There is a variety of different attachments to help handle oddly shaped loads too.

Lift capacity and lift height

The weight of the loads to be handled and the required lifting height are the most essential things to consider when choosing a forklift. When weighing sufficient lifting capacity and lifting height, it is worth noting that the rated maximum lift capacity for the forklift does not cover the entire lifting distance. For example, the actual lift capacity of a pallet stacker with a rated lift capacity of 1200 kg is between 580 kg and 730 kg when lifting to a height of 4700 mm, depending on the load center. When it comes to lifting capacity, it is advisable to choose a little leeway if the actual loads are close to the limits of the rated lift capacity.

Operating environment

In addition to the required lifting height, also consider how much free space there height-wise. Of course, the aisle widths set requirements for the outer dimensions and turning radius of the forklift too. Are there any doors that the forklift has to fit under? How high are the doorways? If the operation includes, for example, the unloading of containers, it is of course worth paying attention to the structural height of the forklift.

Are there any doorsteps or uneven floors in the area of operation? Is the forklift used indoors, outdoors or both? How many shifts is the forklift supposed to work in a day? Is the weight capacity of the floor limited, i.e. how much can the forklift weigh? The above factors guide the selection of the forklift in terms of type, power type, size and equipment.

To those responsible for purchases, one thing is of interest above all others - costs. Of course, there are many things that affect the cost of a forklift. The first thing worth considering is the choice between buying and renting. We will not discuss the differences in buying and renting in this article, but try to provide a few factors that you may want to take into account when adding to your fleet.

When it comes to renting and leasing, the cost structure is usually pretty clear. The rental or leasing bill comes in monthly and the additional costs are caused by fuel or the electircity used to charge the electric forklift. When buying a forklift, in addition to the obvious purchasing cost, expenses may consist, for example, of financing costs, regular maintenance, repairs and spare parts. In the life cycle of a forklift, there will inevitably also be a point at which its costs are higher than the realistic resale value of the forklift. Of course, with leasing and renting, this is not a problem.

Indirect costs may arise, for example, from a major defect in the forklift. Estimate what it costs to have a forklift out of its intended work. By choosing a good rental partner, you can avoid this expense, because if the fault in the rental truck cannot be fixed quickly, you will be able to replace the faulty machine with a similar for the time of the repair.

The damage and resulting costs caused by driver error can be prevented by choosing a forklift suitable for its primary task. The right machine in the right place reduces workload, minimizes sick leave caused by poor ergonomics and, above all, prevents accidents at work. Various safety accessories are also available for forklifts. The most common are reversing cameras and mast cameras as well as blue spot lights indicating the movement and direction of travel of the forklift.

Types of forklifts

As has already been mentioned, not all forklifts are suitable for all uses. Below you will find different types of forklifts and an overview of their features. There are also a couple of examples of specialty forklifts.

Pallet trucks

Pallet stackers

Stabilized stackers

Reach trucks

Counterbalance

The counterbalance forklift is the machine that most people think of when hearing the word "forklift." As you might expect, the weight on the rear of the forklift balances the load in front. Counterbalance trucks are available as electric, gas and diesel powered.

The battery of the electric counterweight truck acts as a counterbalance, so they can be slightly smaller in terms of exterior dimensions than their internal combustion counterparts. Compact electric trucks are available in both three-wheeled and four-wheeled versions. The price of an electric forklift battery slightly increases its purchase cost compared to a diesel or gas-powered forklift. A quiet and emission-free electric truck is ideal for indoor storage, but with the right equipment (e.g. closed cabin), they are also suitable for outdoor use. Electric forklift trucks generally have a lift capacity between 1000 kg and 5000 kg. Of course, there are more capable versions on the market, but diesel-powered forklifts are more common in the larger classes. It is advisable to take the charging time of the electric forklift into account when planning its work.

In addition to performance, internal combustion engine-powered counterbalance trucks have the advantage of being able to work in several shifts. It doesn't take long to refuel either type of forklift, so there is minimum downtime. For indoor use, ventilation in the working environment must be taken care of, because although modern forklifts have relatively low emissions, they do release odours and exhaust gases into the air. The purchase price of diesel and gas powered forklift trucks is usually lower than an electric truck of the corresponding size, but in comparison the maintenance costs are slightly higher.

Rough terrain forklift trucks

Telehandlers

Special forklift trucks

As in almost all industries, forklifts are associated with numerous terms that may not be familiar to all at first glance. The spec list of forklift trucks may include some unfamiliar terminology that may actually play a role in succesful selection of the forklift. Below is a list of terms that we get asked about on a weekly basis. If there is something you need more information on, please let us know. We will add to this article to help others too.

Fork sideshifter / spread

The fork positioner / spread is an attachment that allows for hydraulic movement of the forks in two ways. The forks can be moved from left to right and they can be spread or moved closer to each other. This attachment speeds up working with different pallet sizes and is a common feature in most of the forklift trucks in our stock. It is also possible to equip the truck with just a side shifter which means you would have to alter the width of the forks manually. There are many types of fork attachments available, both with integrated and interchangeable forks.

Please note that the installation of a fork attachment may affect the actual lif capacity and the load center of the forklift.

Load center distance

Each forklift has a load center distance that is specified by the manufacturer. The distance indicates the distance from the base of the forks to the center of the load. For counterbalance forklift trucks, the usual load center distances are 500 or 600 mm. Why is this information important? Contrary to popular belief the rated maximum lift capacity of the forklift does not mean that the forklift can lift that exact load to full height regardless of the dimensions of the load. For example, the manufacturing plate below is from a counterbalance truck with a rated lifting capacity of 4000 kg. As you can see from the chart, a 100 mm change in the load center affects the actual lift capacity at maximum height by 300 kg.

It would be possible to write an entire post covering the load center, but what matters is that you take into account the constraints of the truck before purchasing one, and especially before using it. The load center distance determines the size and weight of the load that the forklift truck can safely lift.

Masts: Simplex, duplex, triplex...

Most forklifts, be it counterbalance trucks, reach trucks or pallet stackers, are available with different masts. As you would guess, the mast type affects the maximum lift height of the forklift. But the different mast types have a couple of other characteristics too. Tip: When choosing a suitable mast and lift height, leave about 10-15 cm of wiggle room between the maximum lift height requirement (e.g. the top shelf of the warehouse) and the maximum lift height of the forklift. This allows loads to be moved more easily even at greater heights.

1. Simplex (one-stage mast) The Simplex mast has only one channel, so its lifting height is limited and doesn't have a free lift feature (more on free lift later). Simplex masts are best suited for outdoor work or working environments where the driving height of the forklift is less crucial.
2. Duplex (two-stage mast) The outer structure of the two-stage mast remains in place and the inside beams of the mast rise. The Duplex mast enables good visibility and can accommodate the free lift function.
3. Triplex (three-stage mast) The Triplex mast is by far the most common mast type you see in our forklift stock. As with the duplex mast, the mast's outer structure remains in place and two inner extensions rise. Three-stage masts almost always have a free lift feature. Triplex masts are suitable for most warehouses.
4. Quad (four-stage mast) Four-stage masts are less common, but they can be found in both counterbalance trucks and reach trucks. The advantage of the four-stage mast is a large maximum lift height and a low driving height of the forklift truck.

Free lift

When looking at forklift specs, free lift is usually expressed in millimetres. The figure indicates how high you can lift the load before the mast's extension begins to rise. Free lift is a useful feature when you need to lift and handle loads in areas with limited height, say in a container for example. Without free lift, the mast begins to extend right away, therefore altering the driving height of the truck.

Initial lift

Some pallet stackers are equipped with an initial lift function. Initial lift is used to increase the ground clearance of a forklift making it easier to cross thresholds, for example.

Did the article raise any questions?

If you wish to know more about the topics in this article or anything else forklift-related, please let us know. You can always call, send a message or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.