THREE SIGNS YOU NEED TO RETIRE THAT OLD FORKLIFT
Does your company have an aging forklift that has been around since the dawn of time? Too often the upfront cost of purchasing a new or used forklift will deter companies from replacing old lifts. However, purchasing a new forklift can actually help save money in the long run. A newer forklift often reduces annual maintenance expenses, promotes a safer work environment, and decreases downtime.
Here are three questions to ask when determining whether it is time for an upgrade.
1. Are the maintenance requirements adding up?
As time passes, maintenance requirements become more frequent. Not only do the annual maintenance expenses balloon, forklifts taken out of operation for repairs causes down time. Many companies fail to take into account the hidden cost of decreased productivity due to equipment downtime. As a forklift's maintenance needs increase, the company should review whether the annual costs of repairing the forklift, coupled with the impact of decreased productivity, outweigh the cost of replacing the equipment. It may be time to replace the lift.
2. Are equipment malfunctions leading to dangerous situations?
Safety should be at the forefront of a company's concerns, and as forklifts age, safety issues arise. Malfunctioning hydraulics and brakes are serious problems that should be addressed immediately. With regular maintenance, service technicians may identify these items on the front end. However, if a lift is to dangerous to operate, it needs to be evaluated and if necessary, it should be replaced.
3. Does the lift get consistent use?
Forklifts are designed to be used on a daily basis. Once a forklift sits around more often than it runs, it is probably time to look for a replacement. Generally forklifts find their way to this point because they don't work as well as the other available lifts. The more a forklift sits, the likelihood of further deterioration increases and the unit may age faster.
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