When working with equipment to transfer loads, whether manual or electrical, we must take into account certain notions in order to keep them running for longer. Below, we will give you three basic tips for the maintenance of pallet trucks and thus ensure the proper functioning of your equipment. Remember that here at Hunter Liftrucks you will find premium Yale forklifts to complete your works efficiently.
- Requires original spare parts
For several factors that escape from our hands a pallet truck may suffer some damage that prevents its proper functioning. If that happens, take it with an expert specialist in forklift which will suggest the use of spare parts to fix the damage.
Always choose to use original spare parts for maintenance. Each brand manufactures its own spare parts and must be replaced according to the use of the product. If there were no spare parts manufactured by the same brand, it requires that original spare parts of known brands be used for the repair of the pallet truck.
- Go to the forklift maintenance specialists
Not everyone can repair pallet trucks, it is necessary to know everything about their operation to do a good job. We recommend that this work be assigned to a specialist, you can contact us so that we can provide the necessary maintenance with original spare parts.
- Look for maintenance and warranty services
Recognised brands will place at your disposal a technical support team trained in direct technical advice and specialised in the maintenance, repairs and diagnostics of your team.
In addition, as part of the service, every 1200 hours you should look up for oil monitoring, lubricants and integral evaluations of forklifts. Professional maintenance plans are needed if you want your forklift to keep working at full potential. Following these 3 tips will allow you to take diligent care of your forklifts for longer.
Taking care of your forklift’s battery
A poorly maintained industrial battery cannot develop its full potential. Therefore, proper maintenance is critical, and then we give you a couple of tips, so you can do it in the most effective way:
- Maintain regular records of battery maintenance. For example, each time the battery load is charged and / or verified at the end of the load. These records are of terrific value when it comes to predicting when battery replacement will be necessary.
- Replace a battery with a capacity that has fallen below 80% of its rated capacity. Continuing to use the battery can be “false economy” and generate expensive damage to the motor and electrical part.
- The diligent care of the battery is synonymous with good care of the forklift. Keep it in mind and maximise your productivity.
3 tips for extending the life of your electric forklift’s battery
Many users do not know it, but optimising battery life is essential to extend the life of electric forklifts and recover the investment made. In fact, the battery is the most expensive component of the entire equipment, since it represents 30% of its price.
Therefore, we share some ideas to make electric forklifts last longer:
Plan the work according to the battery charging periods
This reduces the number of stops and the risk of accidents due to hasty manoeuvres performed by the driver when the battery is low.
Do not use the battery with less than 20% charge
If the forklift’s battery is completely discharged, this will cause damage to some important components and the engine may fail unexpectedly. If necessary, you will have to charge it completely for an uninterrupted period.
Check the water level periodically
Water is essential for the operation and the duration of the battery. Therefore, it is essential to add distilled water to the battery periodically (normally every 5 or 10 loads). Be careful not to add too much, because if the water spills, it will cause permanent damage to the equipment.
Do not hesitate to use these recommendations and you can enjoy the benefits of your equipment for much longer.
Reasons to Consider Changing your Forklifts
As with automobiles, your forklift has a work time and requires maintenance. Eventually, productivity decreases as the wear of daily jobs takes its toll. So, when do you start to consider an update? We indicate some points, so you know when it was time to replace your forklift:
Increasing the frequency of maintenance and repairs
The replacement of tires, belts and other maintenance is not the same as having a large repair. The costs to maintain a functioning machine increase after the first years of life, and if you are spending more than it is worth in maintenance, it could be the time to advance to a better team. Even if repairs are not important, older lifting equipment begins to affect general business objectives after work hours begin to accumulate.
Decrease the productivity of your forklift
The cost of maintaining equipment for your company does not just mean paying to repair a forklift. Although a forklift can last a long time, it does not mean it is economical for your warehouse. One mistake that companies make is to keep it too long. In general, the engines last between 10,000 and 20,000 hours, depending on the type of machine and the application of work, this will partially determine its useful life. Be sure to pay attention to performance so you can optimally replace time.
Warning signs
Planned maintenance is the best way to keep up with the status of your forklifts. When performing maintenance on your machines, watch for signs that your equipment should be replaced, such as using forks: surface cracks, twisted blades or stem, height difference, etc.
The good condition of your forklifts allows you to have more efficient working days and fewer arrests for unforeseen inconveniences. Contact Hunter Liftrucks specialists today if you need help with the repair or maintenance of your company’s forklifts, we are here to help you.