Hyundai Forklifts vs. Top Forklift Brands
You know Hyundai is a premier forklift brand that offers a full range of solutions for industries across the board, but how do they stack up to other top brands? The first step is starting with the basics. From there, comparing safety, value, technology, and other critical aspects can help you see the differences between Hyundai and other leading forklift manufacturers.
Thompson Lift Truck has an inventory of Hyundai forklifts ready for buying or renting to support your projects on every front.
Different Types of Forklifts and Why It Matters
Forklifts use a pulley system and hydraulics to lift and transport materials over short distances in applications such as warehouses, loading docks, and construction sites. These machines reduce the time, effort, and money spent on moving pallets of heavy materials from one location to the next, and ultimately eliminate the need for physical labor, keeping you and your crew safe.
What can a forklift do? Let’s dive deeper into understanding the specifications and details of different types.
- Counterbalance forklift: A weight on the back of the equipment helps counterbalance heavy loads, and its compact design allows it to maneuver in circles. It doesn’t have extending arms, which lets the lift move right up to the pallet.
- Heavy-duty forklift: With a higher capacity to lift heavier loads higher off the ground compared to other types of forklifts, a heavy-duty version supports specialized projects. It can move extreme amounts of weight for industrial applications.
- Order picker lift: An order picker lifts the operator with the machine to reach objects stacked high. These pieces of equipment pick and deliver what you need from storage without hauling an entire pallet of materials.
- Reach fork: This type of forklift has forks that reach high above the machine to grab pallets on tall warehouse racks. It also has an open compartment to give the operator more visibility.
- Rough-terrain forklift: Designed for outdoor applications, rough-terrain lifts can operate on uneven surfaces and tough ground like mud and gravel, thanks to their exceptional stability and balance.
- Side loader: Great for moving bulk, heavy and long items, side-loader operators work sideways. This design helps the machine navigate through aisles and alongside tall racks full of materials like pipes or timber.
- Telehandler lift: A telescopic forklift or telehandler has an extendable, articulating boom to reach high areas and navigate tight spaces and around odd angles.
- Warehouse forklift: The most common type of lift that transports pallets of materials using two extended forks in the front of the machine. It’s ideal for warehouse inventory applications.
While a forklift’s primary purpose is to transport heavy loads across varying distances, forklift capabilities can differ when comparing brands, sizes, and environments in which the machine will operate. These pieces of equipment can range in load capacity, power type, and how they perform on different terrain.
For example, some forklifts can be gasoline, diesel, or electric. Manufacturers can make them for indoor or outdoor use, and they can also range in load capacity and size. They can even have pneumatic or rough-terrain tires. That’s why it’s valuable to compare forklift machines.
What Is the Best Brand of Forklift?
If you want to compare forklift brands, it’s best to start with the basics. Consider the following:
- Indoor vs. outdoor terrain
- Gasoline, diesel, or electrical
- Lift capacity
- Size
- Maneuverability
- Lift height
- Tire composition
- Safety precautions
When choosing a forklift for your specific projects and industry, brands excel in different areas. Comparing and contrasting each machine’s specs to your expectations will help narrow your options.
Some of the best-known brands in the heavy equipment industry include:
- Toyota
- Komatsu
- Doosan
- Cat®
- Mitsubishi
- Yale
- Clark
- Nissan
- Crown Lift Trucks
- Hyundai
In 2021, global forklift sales reached about $45 billion, and industry analysts project that number will increase to $82 billion by 2030. Which manufacturers produce exceptional forklift designs that deliver value, safety, and convenience all in one?
Safety Prioritization
The top brands listed above prioritize safety, working to evolve with the existing and ever-changing hazards in the workplace. Evaluate different manufacturers’ safety precautions. What are the machine’s safety features? Do they match your application?
Investing in Value
Who is investing in new technology, safety features, fuel efficiency, and after-purchase support? Which brands offer maintenance and parts alongside the value you get for the forklift? Some forklift companies may align more with your expectations than others.
It’s challenging to recommend the best forklift brand without knowing the exact job you have on hand, but our experts deliver superior support to help with the decision-making process. One of the best tactics to help is comparing and contrasting.
Hyundai Forklifts in Comparison to Top Forklift Brands
Comparing and contrasting Hyundai with other top forklift brands will give you an idea of what specs and details matter most to your industry. For example, Hyundai is a top brand for side-loader forklifts, but what about Cat equipment and Yale?
Notable Hyundai Forklift Specifications
Hyundai was the first Korean-based heavy equipment company to create driverless autonomous machines that can calculate optimal routes under remote control. Other notable features include laser scanners that can perceive the forklift’s surroundings to help prevent collisions, keeping your work environment safe. Hyundai offers electric, diesel, and liquefied petroleum forklifts.
Hyundai has built a reputation for delivering reliable and durable forklifts at a lower cost than the average forklift company. This heavy equipment manufacturer is constantly innovating forklift types to reach their high-quality and value-driven standards.
- Diesel: If you’re working on rough terrains, diesel Hyundai forklifts are the best option. Hyundai makes diesel engines for the outdoors to support construction sites, lumber yards, and any other challenging environments. Load capacities range from 5,000 to 55,000 pounds.
- Electric: Intended for indoor use, Hyundai electric forklifts don’t emit harsh fumes or loud noises. These low-maintenance electric forklifts can lift heavy loads to high racks for warehousing industries. Load capacities range from 2,000 to 11,000 pounds.
- LP: An LP Hyundai forklift gives you the best of both worlds, with liquid propane that burns cleaner than diesel and can lift much heavier loads than an electric forklift. Load capacities range from 3,000 to 15,000 pounds.
Hyundai also has industry-leading warranties to help you receive the best value. They work to capitalize on technology, resources, and expert engineering.
Other Top Forklift Brands
Compared to other top forklift brands like Toyota, Komatsu, and Mitsubishi, Hyundai delivers top-tier solutions at affordable prices. Their forklift models range from electric and liquefied petroleum to diesel engines with load capacities surpassing 50,000 pounds. When you invest in a long-term solution for your business, you want to make sure the brand checks all the boxes. Hyundai prioritizes safety and value, delivering forklifts that can perform above and beyond at a price that gives unprecedented value.
Buy a Hyundai Forklift by Partnering With Thompson Lift Truck
Whether you need a heavy-duty diesel engine or an electric machine that can operate safely indoors, Thompson Lift Truck has a range of Hyundai forklifts to best suit your applications. We pride ourselves on delivering quality machines and exceptional support throughout your forklift’s life. Hyundai is a premium forklift brand compared to others on the market, so when you need guidance in finding the best equipment for your projects, we have your back.
View our Hyundai forklift options online or contact a Thompson Lift Truck representative to learn more about how we can support you.