WHAT IS A HOOK LIFT TRUCK?
If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty commercial truck to carry out a gamut of loading/unloading functions, then hook lift trucks should definitely be on your shortlist of top choices. Equipped with a hydraulic, or in some cases electrical hoist, they hook, lift and transport a variety of containers/bodies for industries like forestry, construction, demolition, scrap, waste, and recycling management. A locking mechanism holds the truck body or container securely in place during transport. Flexibility is mainly the reason why these highly customizable trucks are so popular in the heavy equipment marketplace. Just switch out the container/body, and the same truck can be used for anything from waste hauling and tree trimming to pothole filling and snow removal.
Businesses can reduce expenses by operating just one hooklift truck with one driver, license plate, and insurance policy. Hauling containers on and off takes no more than a couple of minutes, which means the vehicle can be sent out on jobs multiple times a day.
ADVANTAGES OF HOOK LIFT TRUCKS
CHOOSING A CONTAINER/BODY FOR A HOOK LIFT TRUCK: If you’re looking for roll on/roll off bodies and containers for a hooklift truck, there is no shortage of options that may turn out to be a strategic purchase for you.
Quick list of the most commonly used ones:
1: Contractor Duty Containers
A great choice to haul industrial or residential waste, construction debris and other heavy loads.
2: Dump Bodies:
Expands the range of material you’re hauling – from gravel and stone to sand, mulch and topsoil.
3: Heavy Duty Scrap Bodies:
Hardy workhorses built with side stiffeners and inverted angle top rails to carry metal scrap, drywall, bricks, concrete etc.
4: Flatbeds:
Suited for the transportation of cars, all-terrain and farming vehicles, heavy lumber and other building materials.
5: Poly Boxes:
Plastic polymer containers for hooklift trucks to carry hazardous materials that cannot be safely transported in containers made of steel.
6: Sealed Containers:
For wet, sludgy and liquid materials that have to be loaded, transported and off-loaded without risking leakage.
7: Tanker Bodies:
Mainly used to carry water to construction sites.
8: Recycling Containers:
All recycle-worthy material, such as cardboard boxes, aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic and wooden goods can be carried in these hold-alls that allow for customizations like suitable lids, roofs and interior dividers.
# 1: Lifting Capacity
Consider the weight of materials you intend to haul to decide how powerful the hooklift system should be. Depending on the nature of your business, investing in a little more power than you currently need can allow you to carry weightier loads and extend your business opportunities in the future.
# 2: Cab Control
The 3 kinds of in-cab control systems to consider are hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical with each being more suitable than others for specific applications. In case of heavy equipment applications, for example, hydraulic is usually the system of choice, while electric control offers quick and responsive functionalities for light-duty jobs.
# 3: Slide And Tilt
The purpose of use will determine if articulated sliding or tilting jib is a better choice for you. A combination of both, however, does make drops and lifts easier in working environments with low headroom.
# 4: Storage Options
When on duty, hooklift trucks don’t travel light. They carry all kinds of gear and utility materials which are stored in underbody or side mounted steel or aluminum toolboxes. The size of these toolboxes can be upto 48” long with an interior depth of 16”, and they can be customized with sectioning, shelving, waterproof sealing etc to suit the specific carry-all needs for your kind of operations.
# 5: Fuel Efficiency
Hooklift trucks run predominantly on diesel or gasoline, which offer maximum fuel efficiency. Some things that will determine your choice are the most common functions you want your hooklift to perform, weight of the lift, the payload it is expected to carry and the nature of the hydraulics installed.
Used hooklift trucks in the pre-owned marketplace can come to you after years of strenuous service, so it is very important to have them thoroughly checked out to save you the cost of expensive repairs and maintenance work in the future.
# 1: Go With A Reputable Seller
Pre-owned hooklift trucks are not expected to come in a gently used condition. But overuse, misuse and abuse that go beyond expected wear and tear can become a huge financial drain in the long run as you replace worn parts, re-start maintenance checklists that were ignored in the past and try to extend the longevity of your workhorse. Go with a reputable hook-lift dealer, who stands behind the unit they are selling to save yourself the stress and expense of buying blind.
# 2: Ask For Maintenance Records
Making sure that the hooklift unit comes with a maintenance record gives you the peace of mind of seeing documented proof of servicing and maintenance jobs undertaken by previous owners on it in the past.
# 3: Check The Engine And Drivetrain
The probability of damaged engine or transmission is pretty high if the hooklift is showing signs of transmission fluid leaks or engine oil leaks. Have these checked out, and also see if the hooklift owner is willing to give you a drivetrain warranty.
# 4: Check The Electrical System
Hooklifts are composed of a large number of moving parts and some of these can heat up very quickly. If wiring harnesses and rubber hoses come in contact with an overheated engine compartment, for example, it can cause leaking and shorting of the electrical system. Make sure you have these checked and evaluated by an experienced professional before you buy.
# 5: Check The Hooklift Hoist
The hoist, attached to the frame of the truck, needs special inspection to make sure it is in pristine condition with no signs of rusting and cracks or bending of shape. Make sure that hoist pins (where the hoist and frame connect) are in good working condition as well.
# 6: Check For Cleanliness
If the hooklift unit has not been cleaned regularly and on schedule in the past, you may run risks like clogged valves. A clean lift system also says a lot about the previous hooklift owner and how well the unit was looked after while in his or her care.
# 7: Listen For Sounds
Turn off the radio or any environmental sound and listen for any unusual sounds emanating from the hooklift trucks’s operating system. Noise anomalies can be a great help when trying to investigate performance glitches that are not readily apparent to the eye.
# 8: Check The Noise Pollution Factor
Lower engine RPMs, minimal friction and shorter cycle times will help you stay compliant with noise regulations, in case there are any in the area you intend to use your hooklift.
# 9: Consider The Resale Value
Hooklift trucks can give reliable service for many, many years, which is why you should always keep an eye on the resale value in case you choose to diversify or modify your business and have to sell the hooklift you’re buying today.
Custom Truck stocks hook hoist roll-offs on several chassis options. In addition to sales, we have roll-offs available for rent. Be sure to browse our online inventory to check out all of our available roll-offs.
