I need a forklift for my shop, mostly for moving parts and workpieces. I got to thinking that a stand up electric would be really handy because it seems it would be considerably easier to get on and off the operator’s station vs a ride on forklift. Then I talked to a neighbor who has a stand up and he was rather tepid on his review of his stand up lift, mainly complaining that the steering control gets really weird when backing up and the dead man brake is rather awkward. I have never run either style of forklift, always used skid steers or other big loaders. Looking for feed back; thanks!
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Ride on vs stand up forklift
- Thread starter Gearclash
- Start date
- Replies 25
- Views 1,029
dalmatiangirl61
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2011
- Location
- BFE Nevada/San Marcos Tx
Do you have a big warehouse with concrete floors and plan on never driving the lift outdoors? Outdoors would be ok if you have a big concrete parking lot too. All the standup lifts I've seen were for warehouse use only, the tires are small and will sink on asphalt, and get stuck on a 1" obstacle. So unless you have acres of concrete, I'd suggest a conventional sit-on forklift.
Scottl
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2013
- Location
- Eastern Massachusetts, USA
Stand up electrics are for routine stocking and order picking in warehouses where their compact size allows narrower aisles between racks. For general purpose use I would pick a real forklift every time as they are far more versatile.
Having in my younger years used forklifts for such chores as moving heavy steel workbenches, pulling a gasoline powered compressor out of a service van (and placing a new one in), removing and replacing batteries from an electric forklift, putting heavy and often odd shaped equipment on high racks and numerous other chores I can't imagine trying many of them in a stand up unit.
Having in my younger years used forklifts for such chores as moving heavy steel workbenches, pulling a gasoline powered compressor out of a service van (and placing a new one in), removing and replacing batteries from an electric forklift, putting heavy and often odd shaped equipment on high racks and numerous other chores I can't imagine trying many of them in a stand up unit.
If its just for moving parts and workpieces, a pallet stacker might be a better fit, while costing less and taking less space. Or better yet, get both. A large forklift for unloading trucks and moving machinery and a pallet stacker for moving pallets, material and smaller equipment in tight spaces.
This machine would be limited to use inside a 40’ x 80’ shop with a concrete floor; I figure whatever I lift I get will be operated on concrete only as I have other options for non concrete surfaces. I don’t want or need a very large machine. The skid steers I use now have a fraction of the rated capacity that a typical stand on forklift has. Plus I don’t want any larger floor footprint than needed as my floor space is kinda precious.
Pallet stackers don’t look like a good fit for my needs.
I should mention that handling workpieces would include setting them on machine tools.
dalmatiangirl61
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2011
- Location
- BFE Nevada/San Marcos Tx
A pallet stacker would probably work for your needs, they lift high enough to load machines, and have a smaller footprint and can be maneuvered in tighter places , a pallet stacker is not the same as a pallet jack. If standup/ride-on operation is what you want, then look at order picker lifts, and they will lift high enough to load pallet shelving, usually 16' or higher. Make sure you get one with a good battery, they are not cheap to replace.
In my limited experience this is an automatic disqualifier for a stand up. All the ones I have used have the outrigger supports in front to help with capacity issues so getting them up to a machine is not possible.
We just got one(6months), it takes about a week to get used to it. Your neighbor is right the wheel on the right side while facing forward (crown) is a bit odd-especially backwards. the turning circle & space saving is unbelievable, also getting in and around stuff w/o damage is the biggest plus. I love it-after week of not liking it. We also run ours on crappy blacktop & 3/4 crushed occasionally, have not gotten stuck but its only a matter of time.
try your neighbors unit, but you won't get used to it for a while.
ours is a 2500# crown
try your neighbors unit, but you won't get used to it for a while.
ours is a 2500# crown
john.k
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Location
- Brisbane Qld Australia
The difference here ,and maybe there is an employee can drive a standup without a forklift licence,any siton forklift needs an operators licence.
snowman
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2004
- Location
- Southeast Michigan
If it's small building use only, I'd rather have well positioned jib or gantry cranes.
So would I. But for now a forklift is going to be a much more practical option.
john.k
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Location
- Brisbane Qld Australia
If you buy used,be wary of a flat on the drive wheel.......a new drive roller will be costly ,and difficult to install .........and a flat spot will drive you crazy.
Yours never had the telescoping forks ?
AARONT
Stainless
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Location
- Madison, WI
Everything you say sounds like a standup would be a good lift for you. As long as you don't have to drive it outside frequently I would go with the standup. I've always liked them. The steering is responsive, easy to maneuver in tight spaces, stop nicely. Plus I find them more fun to drive.
Scottl
Diamond
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2013
- Location
- Eastern Massachusetts, USA
That would be more versatile. If the capacity is adequate then why not go for it.
scsmith42
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2020
- Location
- New Hill, NC
I have a Crown Reacher-picker stand on forklift in my shop. It’s a handy tool and provides an excellent option for a space too small for a ride on forklift. It’s good for around 4,000 lbs.
It’s not a finesse tool; ie it would be difficult to use to position something within 1/4” or so. There is some play in the reach and lift mechanisms.
But all in all a good alternative for a standard forklift in tight areas.
It’s not a finesse tool; ie it would be difficult to use to position something within 1/4” or so. There is some play in the reach and lift mechanisms.
But all in all a good alternative for a standard forklift in tight areas.
The max lift specs I have seen will be plenty adequate for my needs. As far as stand up vs sit-down, it isn’t overall size so much as jump on/jump off convenience . I figure most of the time I am going to jump on it, run it for a minute or two, then jump off.