Forklifts are important equipment in daily operations at distribution centers, warehouses, and similar facilities. With proper maintenance, you can expect a forklift operating life of 10,000 hours or more, which can add up to about seven years of operations.
When you find that your forklift has problems, you have the option to fix it or invest in a new lift truck. Here are some tips to help you decide when to repair or replace your forklift.
When To Replace Your Forklift
Every forklift develops wear and tear over thousands of operating hours. Here are a few issues that indicate the need to replace a forklift:
- Difficulty lifting
- Dropped loads
- Clogged hydraulic lines
- Persistent fluid leaks
- Suspension imbalance
- Unresponsive steering
If you need to open four or more work orders on machinery over the course of a year, it could be worthwhile to replace your forklift. Most new or refurbished used forklifts for sale are less likely to require unexpected maintenance, which means less downtime.
Try calculating the maintenance cost per hour to determine whether it is time to replace a forklift. For example, if you use a lift truck for 1,500 hours per year and the machinery requires repairs that total $1,500 during this time frame, the maintenance cost is just $1 per hour. When the maintenance cost reaches as much as $10 per hour or more, you should consider replacing a forklift. High maintenance costs can add up to the price of a used or new forklift.
When To Repair Your Forklift
Gas-powered forklifts, also known as internal combustion engine (ICE) forklifts, have more moving parts than electric forklifts. An ICE forklift will require more maintenance to run efficiently and have a long operating life. Forklifts that run on diesel or propane fuel have an average operating lifespan of 10,000 to 12,000 hours and may require service on engine components and other part replacements.
Electric forklifts require less regular maintenance for longer operation, and their average lifespan is 15,000 hours. You will need to charge or change forklift batteries on a regular basis. Maintenance may involve switching out the battery in an electric forklift with a new or used replacement battery or replacing worn tires.
If installing replacement parts is likely to solve a problem and extend the operating life of a forklift, it can be worthwhile to repair this equipment. If a forklift is more than 6 years old and requires a new engine or other major repairs, you should compare prices on forklifts for sale. You should also consider replacing damaged equipment that has reached 10,000 operating hours.
When To Buy New Or Used To Replace Your Forklift
When you're ready for a new forklift, you have the option to purchase a used or new lift truck or rent. Purchasing a lift truck that you plan to use for longer than several months is more cost-effective than renting equipment. To replace your forklift, check out Industrial Forklift Truck and easily compare forklifts for sale by getting multiple quotes from local dealers.
Compare New & Used Forklifts For Sale
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