| Rated Capacity | Maximum rated load | 3,500 kg at the specified load centre | Confirm that the 3,500 kg rating applies at the required load centre, lift height, mast type, and attachment configuration. The actual residual capacity can be lower. | Critical | □ |
| Load Centre | Horizontal distance from fork face to load centre | Common reference values include 500 mm or 600 mm | Match the rated load centre to the buyer’s pallet depth and cargo centre of gravity. Do not compare capacity figures without comparing load-centre values. | Critical | □ |
| Lift Height | Maximum fork height and lowered mast height | Common configurations: approximately 3,000–6,000 mm lift height | Check clearances under doors, sprinklers, beams, and containers. Request a capacity chart showing residual capacity at the required lift height. | Critical | □ |
| Mast Configuration | Duplex, triplex, or full-free-lift mast | Duplex and triplex masts are widely used; full free lift is available on selected configurations | Choose the mast according to container entry height, rack height, visibility requirements, and overhead clearance. Verify mast tilt and fork height limits. | High | □ |
| Fork Dimensions | Fork length, section, and adjustment range | Fork length commonly falls near 1,000–1,800 mm, depending on the application | Confirm fork length, fork thickness, fork spacing, locking mechanism, and compatibility with pallets or special loads. Longer forks can affect capacity and turning space. | High | □ |
| Overall Dimensions | Overall width, length, height, and turning radius | Typical overall width: approximately 1,250–1,500 mm; turning radius varies by chassis and steering design | Measure aisles, loading bays, ramps, warehouse doors, and trailer access points. Use the complete machine dimensions, including forks and attachments. | Critical | □ |
| Powertrain Choice | Electric, diesel, LPG, or other approved power source | Electric models are commonly used indoors; combustion models are often selected for outdoor or heavy-duty work | Assess operating hours, ventilation, noise limits, emission rules, floor conditions, charging or refuelling access, and indoor/outdoor duty cycle. | Critical | □ |
| Electric System | Battery voltage, capacity, charger, and charging method | Industrial electric configurations commonly use 48 V or 80 V systems; capacity depends on duty cycle | Check whether the battery provides a full shift under the stated workload. Confirm charging time, spare-battery requirements, charger input voltage, connector type, and battery replacement method. | Critical | □ |
| Energy Performance | Energy or fuel consumption under a defined test cycle | No universal figure applies because consumption depends on load, travel distance, lift frequency, temperature, and operator behaviour | Request test conditions, duty-cycle assumptions, rated load, travel speed, lift frequency, and energy price assumptions before comparing operating costs. | High | □ |
| Performance | Travel speed, lift speed, gradeability, and acceleration | Typical unloaded travel speeds are often around 15–20 km/h; exact values depend on powertrain and safety settings | Compare performance both loaded and unloaded. Verify gradeability on the buyer’s ramps and confirm that speed settings can be adapted to the site risk assessment. | High | □ |
| Tires and Ground Conditions | Pneumatic, solid pneumatic, or cushion tires | Pneumatic tires suit uneven outdoor surfaces; solid or cushion tires are often used on smoother industrial floors | Check tire size, load rating, puncture risk, floor protection, wet-surface traction, turning space, and temperature conditions. | High | □ |
| Attachments | Side shifter, fork positioner, clamps, rotator, or other equipment | Attachments reduce residual capacity and may change the rated load centre | Require a separate capacity plate or capacity chart for every attachment. Confirm hydraulic flow, mounting class, visibility, and compatibility with the intended loads. | Critical | □ |
| Stability and Visibility | Stability triangle, mast visibility, rear visibility, and camera or sensor options | Performance depends on load geometry, mast position, steering angle, surface condition, and attachment weight | Conduct a practical visibility and stability assessment with representative loads. Check mirrors, lighting, warning systems, camera options, and overhead guarding. | Critical | □ |
| Safety Compliance | Design, guarding, alarms, lighting, and operator protection | Applicable requirements depend on the country, workplace, power source, and intended use | Request conformity documentation for the destination market and verify alignment with applicable requirements such as ISO 3691-1, EN 16307-1, and local occupational-safety rules where applicable. | Critical | □ |
| Electrical Safety | Charger, wiring, protection, and electromagnetic compatibility | Requirements vary by destination voltage, frequency, installation method, and machine configuration | Confirm charger input specifications, protective devices, grounding, connector standards, electromagnetic compatibility documentation, and local electrical approvals. | Critical | □ |
| Climate Adaptation | Operating temperature, humidity, dust, rain, and corrosion protection | Standard operating limits vary; cold-storage, coastal, dusty, and high-humidity applications may require special configurations | Specify the actual climate, altitude, dust level, wash-down conditions, and corrosion exposure. Ask for derating data for high altitude or extreme temperatures. | High | □ |
| Operator Environment | Seat, controls, vibration, noise, visibility, and access | Ergonomic quality varies significantly between configurations and adjustment ranges | Check seat adjustment, steering effort, pedal layout, entry steps, overhead guard clearance, vibration, noise, heating, ventilation, and optional cab equipment. | High | □ |
| Serviceability | Inspection access, diagnostic system, service intervals, and spare parts | Service intervals and parts availability depend on the machine design and local support structure | Request the maintenance schedule, diagnostic procedure, consumables list, critical spare-parts list, service manuals, and estimated repair times in the destination country. | Critical | □ |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Purchase price plus energy, maintenance, tires, batteries, training, and downtime | Operating cost can exceed the initial purchase-price difference over the machine’s service life | Compare cost per operating hour using the same annual hours, duty cycle, energy price, maintenance assumptions, tire life, battery replacement plan, and residual value. | Critical | □ |
| Warranty | Coverage period, exclusions, response time, and component coverage | Warranty terms differ by supplier, region, component, operating hours, and powertrain | Obtain written coverage for the machine, mast, transmission, motor, controller, battery, charger, and attachment. Check exclusions for intensive or multi-shift use. | High | □ |
| Documentation | Manuals, parts books, capacity charts, certificates, and inspection records | Documentation should match the exact model, serial number, mast, attachment, and destination configuration | Do not accept generic documents only. Require an operator manual, maintenance manual, parts information, load chart, wiring diagram, inspection checklist, and compliance records. | Critical | □ |
| Delivery and Import | Shipping dimensions, gross weight, packaging, customs, and destination requirements | Shipping details vary with mast height, battery, tires, attachments, and packaging method | Confirm shipping weight and dimensions, lifting points, battery transport requirements, customs documents, import duties, delivery terms, and destination-site unloading capability. | High | □ |
| Acceptance Testing | Pre-delivery inspection and site acceptance test | Testing should use the buyer’s actual load, floor, ramp, aisle, and operating cycle | Define acceptance criteria before purchase: capacity, lift height, travel, braking, steering, leakage, noise, safety devices, battery endurance, documentation, and operator training. | Critical | □ |
