Barb;
What Industrial application are you intentions of use for the forktruck you are seeking? Is it going to be used in the waste recycling industry? If it is I would highly recommend that you spec out the requirements you need and are looking for. Make it a sound and binding contracting agreement. Stipulate that if your unit is down due lack of part or labor availability for longer then a predetermined time that your firm is not put out of business. Most new equipment dealer do not like to stock dollar bills on a shelve to collect dust for parts they may not use but only on rare instances. Keep in mind like Ed said in his blog there are many brands available and only you can decide what is the best for your industrial application. If you are in the waste recylce industry may I suggest that you may find petinent information in a waste recycler's trade journal. John also has given you some excellent advise, batteries for industrial forklifts are the single most expensive part to a unit. Anything you do up front to preserve the battery's life will end up a plus. The lead time to replace one will be your firms worst enemy even though most battery failures can be repaired but not all.