Today, various modern worksites, warehouses, manufacturing industries, and construction sites have adopted different material handling equipment to fulfill specific purposes and enhance productivity. Companies are employing a mix of different tools together with an aim to derive productivity and function at a high speed. Forklift trucks have been at the forefront of this transition for many years now.
More and more industries have started employing forklift trucks for their storage and warehousing needs. Forklifts help organization reduce costs, better handling of material, reduce handling accidents, increase efficiency and productivity. Over the years, the forklift has also evolved—with the introduction of electric forklifts and electric stackers for warehouses, the adoption rate has further increased.
Any equipment, however useful, is bound to have a service lifecycle. But it is often hard to understand when to retire and replace heavy-duty equipment, especially forklift trucks. So here are the factors to look at while considering forklift replacement.
1.Excessive forklift wear and tear
It’s important to complete schedule maintenance of forklifts irrespective of their fuel type—and keeping a good maintenance record helps improve efficiency and the overall life of the vehicle. However, unavoidable prolonged usage can lead to a need for regular repairs which can be a cue for you to consider forklift replacement.
Paying for continual repairs makes the cost of replacing worn parts or electrical components higher. To avoid such situations, you must consider replacing or retiring the machine if you have the following regular repair needs:
- Hydraulic leaks
- Clogged fluid lines
- Worn chains
- Jammed mast
- Battery problems
- Unbalanced suspension
- Steering difficulties
2.Delays & Downtimes
Downtime for any unit in your forklift fleet can directly affect your business efficiency as the losses incurred can cost much more than parts and labor. If your diesel or electric forklift, electric stackers, reach trucks, or any other material handling equipment is on downtime- being repaired, an additional cost due to idle operators is also incurred. That is why it is important to have a backup equipment. If not, when the lost profits due to delays in product movement are taken into account, the total cost of downtime may impact the overall productivity.
However, forklifts which have been used over a period of >7 years might give a lesser output. So, it becomes vital for your facility to retire a forklift when delays start affecting your operations.
Initiate appropriate countermeasures beforehand
To ensure optimal performance your equipment must always be well maintained. It is a fact that poorly maintained equipment can lead to an accident, injury, or failures. Such events can easily be avoided by regular inspections and regular maintenance cycles. Apart from being a good practice, it also helps you predetermine the signs of wear and tear on all your material handling equipment—be it diesel or electric forklift, electric stackers, reach trucks, etc.
Establishing counter measures beforehand can help you cut losses and take appropriate actions just in time. If you are experiencing such issues with your fleet, get in touch with an authorized Kion OM dealer and get a forklift suitable for your material handling needs.
