There are actually a variety of security features which are common to particular types of trucks like seat belts on sit-down vehicles. On most stand-up vehicles there are dead-man petals also. In addition, certain manufacturers are providing more features like for example speed controls that could reduce the overall speed based on steering angle and load height. For more info, there are many available articles about Loading Dock Safety and Lift Truck Safety.
Support and Service
A big part of forklift selection is to make certain that you maintain access to high levels of support and service. Each and every year, there seems to be a wider array of new players in the lift truck business. Although they provide a decent lift truck design and a nice price, if they do not offer the regional or local service and support infrastructure, you need to be ready for major stress when the lift truck goes down. Each model of lift truck goes down at some point and parts, service and general questions should be answered at some point.
You will generally want to have a nearby dealer or repair shop with a complete supply of the components you require for your particular unit. Be sure to visit the dealership or the repair shop and check their parts room so as to try to understand how many parts they stock. Make sure to inquire that if they do not have the component you require, where would it come from? With a bit of luck, the answer would be from a local or regional distribution facility.
Moreover, try to get some ideas as to how many of those specific models are currently being used in your vicinity. This is very important for specialty trucks like turret trucks. If there are only a small amount of trucks being utilized in their service area that you should assume they may not be stocking many if any parts for them. What's more, they may have very little overall experience in servicing that model too.