Forklift equipment is an integral element of a business’s manufacturing process, especially in industrial and commercial sectors, including warehouses and factories. While forklifts are crucial to any company’s operations, they are also prone to breakdowns.

Over a hundred people lose their lives in incidents involving forklifts each year. Another 20,000 are critically hurt in accidents each year. Any time a forklift is out of commission, it may cause serious problems for the company.

As a result, forklifts are sometimes in need of maintenance or replacement. But, how soon should repairs be made to a forklift?

How Soon Should Repairs Be Made to your Forklift?

Forklifts help increase efficiency and productivity at a warehouse or other workplace by performing different tasks. However, they are expensive to acquire and keep operating, and their useful lifespan is often short. It highlights the significance of deciding whether or not to replace a broken forklift.

When something breaks in your forklift, fixing it is usually cheaper than replacing it. However, truck parts will inevitably fail. Any forklift that has been damaged might put workers in danger. Additionally, the damaged element causes additional damage, increasing the time and effort needed to fix it. When that happens, forklift replacement is not only a financial concern but also a safety one.

When should a forklift be serviced if it breaks down? Repairs should be made immediately. It should be done either before usage, at the next planned forklift maintenance period, or after the shift has ended. If, however, a repair is urgently needed, you should arrange it as soon as possible. You may consult the handbook or go to a business specializing in forklift repair to locate a technician.

It is unacceptable to delay fixing a broken forklift. If you take fast action to repair the damage, you will do more than smooth up a dent or stop an oil leak. Protecting your investment, saving money, and ensuring the safety of others are all side effects.

Why Is Repairing a Damaged Forklift Immediately the Right Thing to Do?

Is there a forklift at your facility that has been damaged to the point where it threatens worker safety? Maybe you don’t realize the severity of the situation with the forklifts if you don’t feel any rush to get them fixed. Here are some potential problems that can be avoided if you get your forklifts fixed as soon as possible:

Increased Costs

Regular preventive maintenance is the most effective method for avoiding hefty repair bills. It helps to maintain the forklift truck’s health and prevents problems from arising. Over time, this kind of upkeep will prevent major issues from occurring. It’s not cheap to fix bigger problems with your vehicle.

Product Damages

If a forklift is damaged in a certain way, it might ruin the goods being moved around. Fork failure, for instance, might result from fork damage. It might lead to the cargo being dropped or damaged.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Purchasing a forklift is a significant outlay of capital. An optimal return is crucial for a financial commitment of this magnitude. Maintaining a healthy and long-lasting forklift fleet is essential for maximizing that ROI. Forklifts have a longer useful life and are better held when repairs are made quickly and correctly. The result is an efficient operation and good profits over the long run.

Opportunity Costs

If you took out a loan to buy your forklift truck, you still have to pay for it even when it’s not in use. Whether the forklift truck is being used at full capacity or not, the company still has to pay for it if it is leased. These issues may be solved by fixing a broken forklift and returning it to full service.

Quality of Workplace

Attitudes in the workplace are shaped by the atmosphere, particularly the quality of its upkeep. When a business or organization takes care to keep its premises and equipment in good condition, it sends a message of quality and care to its employees and visitors.

Fire Hazard

There might be a fire hazard if your forklift truck had damage that caused oil or hydraulic fluid to spill. Both hydraulic fluid and oil may catch fire. The danger of fire increases dramatically if oil or hydraulic fluid leaks onto other materials. Burning paper, cardboard, and other items may harm property and people.

At Risk of Falling

Oil spills immediately become dangerous because of the risk of slipping. Slips and falls are possible outcomes. The oil in a puddle on the warehouse floor, particularly in a high-traffic location, might smudge shoes.

Safety and Security

Maintaining safe practices while operating forklift trucks requires a company-wide commitment to safety. Having a driver with a poor safety record is unacceptable. Damage to equipment is typically related to a safety hazard. It may be that the injury happened due to bad driving. Take steps to prevent such incidents from happening by investigating any harm of this kind.

How Often Should a Forklift Be Serviced and Should Operators be Retrained?

The effectiveness and lifespan of your forklift are directly related to the regularity with which you complete forklift maintenance checks. Forklifts must be maintained per OSHA regulations. Forklifts are not to be utilized if they are not “in safe working condition,” as stated in their policies. In addition, they insist that only certified technicians do maintenance and fixes.

The OSHA guidelines mandate that every three years, all operators must undergo an evaluation. They need to be recertified so their abilities can be monitored. For forklifts, a gasoline filter should be replaced every 250 hours: by changing the fuel and air filter.

How Long Does a Forklift Last?

Between 10,000 and 12,000 hours is about the typical lifetime for a forklift. That’s the equivalent of seven years of constant usage. It is common for high-end forklifts to last for twenty thousand hours or more. Many variables may determine how long a truck lasts before requiring forklift replacement. Among them are:

Forklift Type

Electric forklifts are more reliable than gas, diesel, or propane. They need less maintenance since there are fewer moving components.

Work Purpose

Forklifts in tough terrain or hostile conditions are subjected to higher wear and tear. It causes a decrease in longevity. Frequent collisions may also accelerate normal wear and tear, reducing a truck’s useful life.

Average Use

Approximately 2,000 hours of forklift usage per year is typical. More use than that will need more regular maintenance and repair. Forklifts that put in extra hours at the warehouse must be replaced sooner.

Regularly Scheduled maintenance

Maintenance is the most important aspect in determining how long a forklift will last. Regular planned maintenance will prolong the life of a vehicle more.

It would seem the optimal time to replace a forklift is when it approaches the end of its working life.

It is everyone’s right to be safe when operating their forklift. If you want the most reliable and safest forklift for your business, contact Watts Equipment Co., Inc. We offer all the help that you need for your forklift.