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Free Decision Tools

Forklift Decision Tools

Choose the right forklift and compare battery costs — free, no login.

Model Comparison Brief

Compare two or three researched models against the same operating requirement and supplier quotation evidence. Print or download the completed brief.

Forklift Selector →

Answer a few questions and get the right forklift type, capacity and power source for your operation.

Lithium vs Lead-Acid TCO Calculator →

Compare total cost of ownership and find the break-even point between lithium and lead-acid batteries.

What these forklift tools do and why they help

Specifying a forklift is rarely a single decision. Capacity, mast height, power source, and duty cycle all interact — push one lever and the others move. Size for too much capacity and you overpay for a machine that is heavier, wider, and harder to maneuver than your aisles allow. Under-size the mast and your top pallet positions stay empty. Pick the wrong power source and you either fight battery downtime or pay for fast-charging infrastructure you did not need.

The Forklift Selector turns that tangle into a guided shortlist. You answer a few questions about load weight, lift height, indoor or outdoor use, and shift pattern, and it returns the forklift type, capacity class, and power source that fit — so you walk into a quote knowing roughly what you should be asking for.

The Lithium vs Lead-Acid TCO Calculator tackles the question that follows nearly every electric forklift decision: which battery actually costs less over its life. Lithium usually has a higher sticker price but lower running cost; lead-acid is cheaper up front but adds charging time, watering, battery swaps, and a spare. The calculator compares total cost of ownership across both and shows the break-even point for your shift count and runtime — the year where the cheaper-to-buy option stops being the cheaper-to-own option.

Both tools are free, run in your browser, and require no login. They are built to give you a defensible starting position, not to replace a site survey or a supplier quote.

Which tool should I use?

Two tools, two jobs. Start with the Selector if you are still deciding what kind of forklift you need; use the TCO Calculator once you have settled on an electric truck and need to choose its power source. Many buyers run both in sequence.

If you want to...UseWhat you get
Figure out which forklift type, capacity class, and power source fit your operationForklift SelectorA guided shortlist matched to your load weight, lift height, environment, and shift pattern
Decide between a lithium and a lead-acid battery for an electric forkliftLithium vs Lead-Acid TCO CalculatorA total cost-of-ownership comparison plus the break-even year for your shift count and runtime
Sanity-check capacity vs mast height before requesting quotesForklift SelectorA capacity and lift-height pairing that avoids over- or under-spec'ing the mast
Justify a higher up-front battery spend with running-cost numbersLithium vs Lead-Acid TCO CalculatorSide-by-side lifetime cost showing where lithium overtakes lead-acid
Move from a tool result to a real machine and pricePrepare a Request / RFQA spec-ready starting point you can hand to our team for a factory-direct quote

Who these tools help

These tools are built for the people who actually have to put a number on a forklift decision — whether you run one machine or a fleet of fifty. They are most useful when you are scoping a purchase, replacing aging equipment, or building a business case for a power-source switch.

Warehouses & 3PL logisticsManufacturing & assembly plantsCold storage & refrigerated DCsPorts & intermodal yardsImporters & distributorsFleet & operations managersProcurement & sourcing buyersMaintenance & reliability leadsConstruction & building materials yardsFood, beverage & retail DCs

Why these tools help you decide

We build these tools to be a straight, defensible starting point — not a sales funnel. There is no login, no email wall, and no pressure to buy before you have run the numbers yourself.

  • Transparent logic. Each tool tells you what it asks and why, so you can see how a result was reached rather than trusting a black box.
  • Independent first. The Selector and TCO Calculator weigh fit and cost on the inputs you give — they are not rigged to point at one product line.
  • No sign-up, no cost. Both tools run free in your browser. Use them as many times as you like, change the inputs, and re-run before you ever talk to a supplier.
  • Indicative, not a quote. Results are starting estimates to frame your decision. Real capacity ratings, runtime, and pricing depend on your site, duty cycle, and the specific machine — confirm them in a quote.
  • Built by people who source these machines. The questions reflect the trade-offs that actually come up when specifying and importing electric forklifts and parts.

More frequently asked questions

Are these forklift tools really free, with no login?

Yes. Both the Forklift Selector and the Lithium vs Lead-Acid TCO Calculator run in your browser at no cost, with no account, email, or sign-up required. You can run them as many times as you want and change your inputs freely.

How accurate are the results?

Treat every result as indicative — a defensible starting point, not a final spec or quote. The Selector and TCO Calculator work from the inputs you provide and standard industry assumptions. Your real forklift capacity, runtime, and total cost depend on your exact loads, aisle widths, shift pattern, and site conditions, so confirm the final numbers with a supplier.

Should I use the Selector or the TCO Calculator first?

If you are still deciding what kind of forklift you need, start with the Forklift Selector to land on a type, capacity class, and power source. Once you know you want an electric truck and need to choose its battery, run the Lithium vs Lead-Acid TCO Calculator. Many buyers use both in sequence — Selector to scope the machine, calculator to scope the battery.

I have my answer from the tool — how do I get a real quote?

Take the type, capacity, and power source the tool suggested and send them to us through the Prepare a Request / RFQ page at /contact/. Our team uses your spec as a starting point to put together a factory-direct quote on electric forklifts and parts from verified suppliers.