Tips for Better Forklift Service

5 Tips for Better Forklift Service of your Forklift Fleet

It is important for companies that use heavy equipment such as forklifts to ensure that it is always in tip-top condition to ensure safety in the workplace, efficient operation, longevity, and low running costs in the long run, through periodic and timely servicing. Forklifts, like any other piece of mechanical equipment, go through wear and tear and sometimes develop problems that get worse with time. Even if you rely on forklifts for rent in Atlanta or any other place, you need to ensure that they are properly maintained before renting from the forklift company. Failure to conduct regular forklift maintenance erodes your investment due to frequent breakdowns and expensive repairs. Poorly maintained forklifts also expose you to downtime's that disrupt your productivity. In this blog post, we look at tips to ensure proper maintenance of your lift truck fleet.
Always lubricate your Forklift

Parts that are constantly in motion need to be well greased to avoid the harmful effects of friction. Make sure to check if your forklift is well lubricated every day before putting it to work. This practice saves you money that would otherwise be invested in expensive repairs and replacing forklift parts, as they wear and age quickly without adequate lubrication.

Perform a routine daily check of your forklift

Before you start any kind of work, check all the important parts of your forklift. Every operator must be able to thoroughly check the lift truck’s tires, brakes, fuel, batteries, and engine and hydraulic oils. Ensure that safety features such as seat belts, mirrors, and emergency disconnect for all batteries, are intact. Check for leaks in hydraulic pipes. If anything needs fixing, ensure that the work is done without delay.

Lift your fork Blades

Many operators make the mistake of dragging their fork blades around. Such action wears out the fork blades faster and increases fuel consumption of the lift truck. It is, therefore, advisable to always lift the fork blades of the lift truck and ensure all operators are advised of this fact.

Refer to the user manual

Forklifts, whether from the showroom, used, reconditioned, or on lease, come with user manuals that also offer guidance on what you should look at regularly and during servicing. Go through the information and ensure that all operators take time to read and refer to them as often as required when performing routine checks and maintenance.

Get professional help

It is recommended that you take your forklift for servicing on a regular basis. This keeps it in good condition and performing optimally. Comprehensive and timely forklift servicing also increases its lifespan. Get a reputable forklift maintenance service provider on board to ensure that everything is done right. You must ensure that you inform the service provider of any issues you have been experiencing when using the equipment and verify if they have replaced parts that have outlived their useful life or sustained considerable damage. 

Last Word

There are many forklift service providers in Atlanta and other places, which can sometimes make the task of finding the best and affordable options tough. Conduct online research on service providers in your area or surrounding jurisdiction before looking into their specialties and reputations in the market. You can also check with other companies as to where they get their equipment serviced and their experiences with the service provider.

Forklift Leasing 101

Forklift 101:Read This Before Renting a Forklift

Many businesses, large and small, require forklifts for rent every now and then, either due to breakdowns to some of their own, periodic requirements for such heavy equipment, or catering to their requirements as they save to buy their own. Whatever the reason, it is important to ensure that all your bases are covered before you set out shopping for the right forklift for your requirements. There are many forklifts in the market configured differently in various ways to cater to a plethora of unique tasks. Let us look at some of the groundwork that you need to do and tips that can guide you to the right forklift leasing companies in Atlanta and other places.

Before You Set Out Shopping

Know what you want first before you start hunting for forklifts in the market. Forklift renting rates vary, depending on their size, capacity, equipment cost, brand, and fuel cost. Avoid going for a capacity that is larger than necessary or a premium brand if it doesn’t add any value to your work. Also, consider any height restrictions that may exist within your workspaces, such as doors as forklifts come with different closed heights and mask types. Just ensure the forklift can handle the job for which you require its services and also suits your budget.

When Shopping

The first thing that you need to do when shopping is to compile a list of forklift leasing companies in Atlanta or any other place. Conduct background checks of all the service providers on your list to eliminate unreliable options that have a bad reputation in the market. You can achieve this objective by conducting online research and checking out the company’s reviews and its portfolio as shown on the official website. You can also check whether they are registered and their reputation with entities such as the Better Business Bureau. When you finally have a shortlist of real contenders, request quotations and use your knowledge from prior research on forklift rental prices to pick the best option.

On Concluding Deal

Before you can sign on the dotted line, it is important to remember that forklift leasing companies in Atlanta and other places offer lower rates for longer lease periods. It therefore makes sense to go long term if the need for the equipment is not temporary. Cover yourself for as long as you know you will need the equipment. You can also negotiate lower rates if you are willing to pay in advance or use automated payment options.

On Delivery

Make sure the forklift has undergone comprehensive pre-delivery inspection. You must also take note of the age of the forklift as it has a bearing on safety around the workplace and that of the operator. Lastly, read the operator guide from the manufacturer to complement whatever instructions you receive from the forklift leasing company.

Important Tips When Buying a Used Forklift for Sale

Do your company operations require a lot of product handling, such as moving wood at construction sites, unloading crates of cargo from a container, or simply retrieving and packing goods in a warehouse. A forklift is a handy machine used in such scenarios on a daily basis to carry out the various tasks with ease. Although renting a forklift seems to be an affordable way out, it often proves to be costlier in the long run when compared to buying your own brand new or used forklift in Atlanta and other jurisdictions. Renting has the down-side of limiting the amount of time you can use the forklift. This eventually increases your cost of operations while lowering operational efficiency, making it prudent to purchase your own forklift. This post discusses the various elements you must consider when buying used forklifts to ensure that you get value for your investment, even if you want to add another forklift to an already existing fleet.

New or Used?

If you are thinking of purchasing a forklift, used forklifts make a great option owing to the many advantages that you stand to gain. This is advantageous in that the initial cost is greatly reduced without necessarily compromising on the quality of product. It is easy to find reputable dealers providing reliable forklifts for sale in places such as Atlanta. Since you would be getting a used forklift, you should be ready to also put in a little repair work or replacement of a few components to get it in tip-top working condition again. Make sure you conduct a thorough inspection of the forklift before purchasing. You may want to get a mechanic to check it for you, just like when you are buying a used car to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth. Ensure that the forklift does not have any major damages to the forks, mast and its rails. You must also check for any leakages and if the tires and the rest of the frame are in good shape. The cabin of the lift truck must be in a condition to protect the operator in case of a dropped load and the windows must not be broken.

Inspection and Other Considerations

When purchasing a forklift, you should consider which truck is suitable for you in respect of the maximum weight it can carry, power type- electric, diesel, LPG, or a dual fuel powered machine. Consider the environment in which you will be using the forklift, whether it is rough terrain or in a warehouse. Remember to consider the total number of hours the forklift has worked rather than its age. For example, you may get a 2010 forklift that has worked for at least 40 hours a week outdoors and a 2005 forklift which has been working for 6 hours a week. Go for a forklift with lesser operational hours as it will serve you efficiently for a longer time. Make sure to ask your supplier for a service record for the forklift truck to verify the machine's working hours.