When it comes to deciding whether it is time to make the exchange several factors come into place in making this decision. The main facts are
Reliability
Efficiency
Safety.
Old forklifts that are less efficient can become a problem for the business. Such forklifts are slow, constantly in need of repair, which adversely affects maintenance costs, and deteriorates productivity.
HGW Lift Trucks can and will be your trusted advisor to replace this equipment with the best cost-effective solution to suit your business.
Maintenance
The secret to a forklift’s longevity is properly maintaining it during its life cycle. If it is not serviced properly or regularly, then it will age quicker. It will become less reliable and in many cases it will be unsafe.
If the machine spends a lot of time in the repair shop, costs are increased, and company profits suffer. Meanwhile, employees will have to wait for the forklift to get repaired, affecting labour costs and productivity. Moreover, the possibility of accidents increases.
Look for warning signs that a lift truck needs to be replaced as you give it routine maintenance. Some things to keep an eye out for include:
• Signs of cracks or distortions.
• Broken or exposed wires.
• Worn forks or distortion of the fork blades.
Contact HGW Lift Trucks Ltd when considering replacing forklifts in your fleet/workplace. We can look to advise on the most cost-effective solution and the most productive units for your business needs.
Cost of Operation
A Director, owner or manager is aware that some forklifts will last for up to 15 years which is the amount of time parts will remain fully available. In arduous conditions others may have to be replaced after just five years and this would depend on the usage and the level of maintenance that is being spent.
If you are spending more and more to maintain a forklift, then it might be the time to make the change
Things to consider when deciding if some forklifts in your fleet need to be replaced include:
• The age of the forklift.
• The number of hours the forklift has been working and the amount of weight it has been hauling over time.
• The frequency and type of maintenance it is receiving
• How the forklift is being used high hours or a hard environment
Choice of Fuel Used
The 3 main choices of fuel are diesel, LPG and Electric.
Electric forklifts commonly last longer than the engine powered lift trucks because the engines require far more maintenance to keep them running.
The electric version has fewer parts, making it easier to maintain. The manner, in which the forklift is used including operation in severe temperatures, can cause additional issues and assists in aging the machine quicker.
The cost of fuel is also much higher on the engine powered vehicles with typical costs per day being
1, Electric Truck £3 per day
2. Diesel Truck £6 per day
3. LPG £10 per day
It is advised that businesses should look to plan a time for replacing forklifts, however, this rarely happens, and the decision to put off longer could be a costly experience. So, if you are unsure and would like some advice or would like to discuss the options of changing some of your MHE equipment, please contact one of the sales team at HGW Lift Trucks Ltd.