A reliable forklift for heavy-duty outdoor work
A building materials company in the Netherlands used a forklift daily for moving bricks, tiles, wood, big bags, pallets of cement, and other heavy materials. The work took place mainly outdoors: in the yard, along the storage bays, and during the loading and unloading of trucks.
The existing forklift was outdated and increasingly required maintenance. Especially during peak moments, this caused delays. The customer therefore wanted a new buy diesel forklift one that was strong enough to handle heavy loads, drives well off-road, and is reliable during busy workdays.
The challenge: heavy pallets, varying surfaces, and lots of maneuvering
At building materials companies, forklifts are often used under more demanding conditions than in a standard warehouse. The loads are heavier, the ground surface varies, and the forklift must constantly make short trips between storage areas, customer pickup points, and trucks.
The customer’s main requirements were stability, good visibility, sufficient lifting capacity, and tires suitable for outdoor use. It was also important that the forklift not be too large, since it would need to maneuver between racks, storage bays, and vehicles.
Key Customer Requirements
- Suitable for heavy-duty outdoor work.
- Sufficient capacity for building materials and heavy pallets.
- Good stability on uneven or wet surfaces.
- Reliable for daily loading and unloading.
- A comfortable cab for longer workdays.
- Good lighting and visibility around the machine.
- Service, parts, and maintenance are all well taken care of.
- Episode with VA-keur.
The Solution: Hyundai Diesel Forklift with a Practical Configuration
ZHE Trading B.V. recommended a Hyundai diesel forklift that was suited to the customer’s actual needs. The decision was based not only on lifting capacity, but also on the ground conditions, the turning radius, the lift height, the fork length, and the number of daily operating hours.
For these types of applications, diesel is often still a logical choice. A diesel forklift is strong for outdoor use, can run long days, and is practical when there are many short, intensive operations. According to Hyundai Material Handling, Hyundai diesel forklifts are suitable for heavy conditions, including wet and dirty work environments. See also the external product information from Hyundai Material Handling Europe on Diesel Forklift Trucks.
Why diesel is a better fit here than electric vehicles
Electric forklifts are becoming increasingly powerful and are an excellent choice in many situations. However, a diesel model was more practical for this customer. The forklift is used primarily outdoors, operates for long hours, works on varying surfaces, and must remain immediately operational without a charging infrastructure.
For companies that do a lot of driving in urban areas or want to operate with zero emissions, a electric forklift are actually a better fit. In this case, however, the emphasis was on durability, availability, and off-road performance.
| Part | Why important? | Recommendation in this case |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | A lot of outdoor work and long days | Diesel Forklift |
| Tires | Varying and sometimes wet terrain | Tires suitable for outdoor use |
| Mast and forks | Various pallets and materials | Adjusting to lift height and load center of gravity |
| Cabin | Daily use in changing weather conditions | Comfort and visibility are important |
| Inspection | Working safely with heavy loads | VA-keur standard |
Remaining capacity and safety in building materials
With building materials, the load is often not only heavy, but also large or awkwardly shaped. A pallet of bricks, a bundle of timber, or a big bag each requires a different handling method. Therefore, it is important to look not only at the maximum lifting capacity, but also at the residual capacity.
Especially with longer forks, higher lifting heights, or attachments, the effective capacity may be lower. ZHE therefore takes the actual application into account in its advice. You can find more explanation about this on our page about calculate remaining capacity of a forklift.
Episode with VA quality mark and clear instruction
The forklift was delivered with VA certification, allowing the customer to start working responsibly right away. VA certification is the periodic safety inspection for work equipment such as machinery, tools, and implements. For forklifts, this inspection is important to minimize risks and work interruptions. See also the official information from VA Certification for Forklifts.
Upon delivery, instructions were given regarding daily use, inspection points, safe driving on-site, all-around visibility from the machine, and the importance of timely maintenance. For companies with high loading and unloading activity, this is not a side issue, but part of safe and efficient working.
The result: greater peace of mind during busy workdays
Results for the customer
The customer now has a powerful Hyundai diesel forklift that is better suited to the terrain and daily operations. Loading and unloading are smoother, drivers feel more confident with heavy loads, and the risk of unplanned downtime has been reduced.
Greater operational reliability
A new machine reduces the risk of unexpected downtime.
Better Off Out of Use
The truck is tuned for terrain, tires, and heavy materials.
Working more safely
VA-keur, good instruction, and a suitable configuration provide certainty.
Which companies can relate to this customer case study?
This scenario is familiar to companies that do a lot of outdoor work with heavy pallets, construction materials, or rough terrain. Examples include building materials suppliers, the concrete industry, brick suppliers, lumber suppliers, steel suppliers, prefabricated construction companies, and transportation companies with their own loading and unloading areas.
This solution is particularly well-suited for companies with:
- Many loading and unloading movements outside.
- Heavy pallets or wide loads.
- Varying terrain or wet ground.
- Need for strength and immediate availability.
- Daily use by multiple drivers.
- Interest in good service and maintenance.
Also a Hyundai diesel forklift for your outdoor area?
Are you looking for a new forklift for construction materials, concrete, lumber, steel, or outdoor storage? Then ZHE Trading B.V. would be happy to help you find the right solution. As the official Hyundai importer for the Netherlands, we supply new Hyundai forklifts, service, maintenance, parts, and honest advice based on your actual application.
Also check out our pages about buy diesel forklifts, Buy a forklift for outdoor use, choosing forklift tires en service and maintenance.
Which diesel forklift is right for your site?
Send us your load weights, surface conditions, lifting height, and daily usage. We will then advise you on which Hyundai diesel forklift suits your work: from compact diesel to heavy-duty models for intensive outdoor use.
Request no-obligation adviceFrequently asked questions about this customer case
Why did this building materials company choose a diesel forklift?
The forklift is mainly used outdoors, runs long shifts, and has to move heavy pallets and building materials. For these conditions, diesel was the most practical choice.
Isn't an electric forklift better?
That depends on the application. Electric is strong for indoor use, zero-emission locations, and flat terrain. For intensive outdoor work with heavy loads, diesel may still make more sense.
Which tires are important for building materials?
For building materials, outdoor tires are important. The right choice depends on the surface terrain, load, moisture, unevenness, and driving distances.
Why is residual capacity important?
Building materials are often heavy, wide, or long. Due to lift height, fork length, or load center, the actual capacity may be lower than the nominal lifting capacity.
Does the forklift come with an inspection?
Yes, at ZHE Trading B.V., VA-keur (VA quality mark) is standard for the machines. This provides extra security upon commissioning.
Can a diesel forklift also be leased?
Yes, a Hyundai diesel forklift can often be deployed via financial lease or operational lease. That is interesting if you want to spread the investment.
