Intense Weather Tips for Forklift Operators

If your business uses forklifts in Atlanta, it helps to know how to operate the equipment in intense weather. Atlanta averages 2 days of snow every year and sees a hot season of 117 days with an average high of 81°F, and a cool season of 89 days that average a daily high of 60°F. One sure way to make sure your forklift trucks run smoothly whatever the weather you buy them new or from forklift salvage parts dealers. Intense weather is not uncommon in Atlanta and this blog helps you safely operate forklifts in different types of intense weather.

Operating a Forklift in the Heat

Heat affects your forklift operators as well as the forklifts themselves. There are various undesirable consequences of intense heat on your forklifts, especially on the fluids, which tend to evaporate faster. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your battery water and other fluid levels. Other components that suffer in the heat include belts that bear the brunt of getting overworked pumping the coolant throughout the engine. They also crack from the heat.

Operating Forklift in the Rain

Rain impacts so many aspects of forklift operation. That, coupled with the fact that it is a weather phenomenon that can occur anytime, makes the ability to operate a forklift in the rain a very important skill. Contrary to some notions, electric forklifts are totally safe to operate in the rain if they are water-resistant and splash-safe. What you must know, however, is that electric forklifts give you less power when compared with internal combustion lift trucks. This means that you may experience difficulty making your way through mud and other terrain.

Go for Forklift OEM Parts

Whatever you do, always make a point of buying forklift oem parts for your lift trucks. Forklift parts dealers in Atlanta sell used CAT forklift parts and used Hyster forklift parts at heavily discounted prices. The parts are tested to make sure they give you value for your money. Search the internet for options and do some background checks before parting with your money. Above all, make sure that your forklift operators know how to safely operate the lift trucks in intense weather.

3 Signs Your Forklift Is Due For Maintenance

Among all the positive attributes that you may have as a forklift owner, renter, or driver, knowing when it is due for service ranks in importance. There are several clues that should tell you when it’s time to give your forklift truck a visit to reputable forklift service providers. Before going any further, the first indication that your forklift is due for service is having gone six months since the last visit. Six months in forklift life amounts to roughly 250 hours of work or more, provided you get forklift oem parts every time you take it for repairs or service. According to recommendations by most forklift manufacturers, you must take your forklift for maintenance between three and six months to spot and eliminate potential problems. Here are 3 notable signs that your forklift is due for maintenance. 

Worn Forks

Damaged forks can’t optimally transport loads. This increases the chances of hazards such as dropping the load, damaging the goods or even injuries to people. Damage to forks may occur as they pick, transport, and unload equipment or goods. A fork wear caliper is a specialized tool to measure blade heel for wear. If the tool records a 10 percent reduction in the size of the fork, it essentially means that its capacity has decreases by double that amount. It may be time to install a new fork. One way to notice worn forks before measuring is the presence of surface cracks, dents, or misalignment. 

Oil Leaks

Forklifts with oil leaks are easy to spot as they often leave a noticeable trail of oil in their wake. Oil leaks signify problems with the forklift and also pose a real danger to other lift trucks and people working and passing around the work site. Oil is essential in lubricating the extended mast and the presence of leaks means that there is less available for that purpose. An oil deficiency also causes parts to experience more friction and heat, which accelerates wear and destroys some parts. Although topping-up the oil is a feasible stop-gap measure, it is ill-advised to do so for extended periods before taking it to experienced forklift service providers for repairs. 

Damaged Chain

If you properly lubricate your forklift chain, it will last you up to 6,000 of work. Failure to notice the danger signs related to chain failure may result in damage to the forklift, load, and injuries around the workplace. Warning signs include rust, kinking, or corrosion. Check for wear on the pinheads, link plates, and chain elongation.

Let Professionals Help

To make sure that your forklift performs optimally for as long as possible, and remains safe to work with, you need the help of professional forklift service providers in Atlanta and other areas. Providers of forklifts for lease or forklift sales often extend expert forklift maintenance services. Search for providers affordable used forklift parts online at websites that provide forklift salvage services. Salvage forklifts in Atlanta give you access to all popular makes and models at competitive prices. The parts are tested before going on sale to ensure that you get maximum value for your investment. Some used forklift parts providers even provide warranties.

Useful Tips When Purchasing Used Forklifts and Forklift Parts

Forklifts are indispensable in operations that require the hauling of heavy materials and some other task that can be executed by the various specially-designed attachments. For those shopping on budget or simply looking to save without having to compromise on the quality of forklift or parts, lift truck salvage dealers are the way to go. Used forklift parts can still serve you for long, provided they have been tested before being passed on to buyers. Forklift salvage yards also feature forklift that can be restored or repaired to give you many years of efficient operations. What remains important is to make sure that all your bases are covered when you go shopping for a used forklift or forklift parts.

Buy from Reputable Firm

Knowing a company history is a very important factor to consider before finalizing any deal as far as the purchase of forklift and forklift parts is concerned. There are many unscrupulous and bogus dealers masquerading as genuine dealers. Consult the companies’ clients and know more about their experiences and also check with the authorities if they are licensed to operate.

Check for Availability of Affordable Spare Parts

Imagine when your forklift breaks down and there are no readily available spare parts or they are abnormally costlier contrary to your expectations, what do you do? So, it is critical to make sure there are readily available and affordable spare parts in your locality before buying a forklift truck.

Ensure Availability of Top- Notch Technical Assistance

Forklifts sometimes are prone to damage which are at times related to users, while others are simply caused by technical failure. Your ideal dealer should provide 24/7 technical assistance and toll-free contacts should your machine experience technical failure.

Know the History of The Forklift

Consult if possible with the previous owner of the machine to know how long the machine has been under his possession, as forklifts have life span. Old forklifts may not work effectively and efficiently as new ones due to wear and tear of their parts. Ensure the machine has proper documentation which may not put you at logger head in future with the authorities.

Be Driven by Fuel Factor

There is a wide range of forklift trucks with different modes of fuel propelling their engines, i.e. Diesel propelled forklifts and electric propelled forklifts which uses batteries. This also depends on your daily work schedule. Consult widely with forklift dealers to establish the perfect forklift for your work requirements.

Seek Professional Help

It always pays to consult professionals, especially when buying a forklift or used forklift parts from lift truck salvage yards and dealers in Atlanta and other areas. Know what you need before spending your money on the wrong parts or a forklift that doesn’t appeal to your requirements due to one or more configuration or other issues.

A Look At 4 Must-Know Forklift Hazards

If your operations involve the use of forklifts, there are a number of hazards that are associated with forklift operations that you have to know. It is important for all your forklift operators to be aware of all known hazards in order to minimize or eliminate incidents of accidents around work sites and the workplace. Such knowledge mitigates the risk of injuries, property and equipment damage, as well as legal issues. It is also important to make sure that you are getting forklift oem parts, especially when you go for used forklift parts. In this blog, we look at 4 common risks associated with forklift operations, including loads, attachments, work environment, and pedestrians.

Forklift Attachments

Forklift use different specially designed attachments to execute different tasks. Some of the attachments include rotators, drum clamps, paper-roll clamps, and carton clamps. These and push-pull elements have the potential to impact the forklift’s capacity in a variety of ways that include:

• The added weight introduced by the attachment can change the capacity of the forklift. The capacity of the load you can carry is proportionately reduced according to the weight of the attachment.
• The addition of attachments can impact the clearance of the forklift by adding to its length and width
• The addition of attachments also impacts a forklift’s stability and center of gravity

Loads

There are various load-carrying hazards that include but are not necessarily restricted to:

• Stacking and unstacking on racks
• Loads of hazardous materials
• Unstable loads
• Carrying loads when the forks are extended too high
• Hauling loads that block visibility of where you are going
• Working around loading docks

Work Environment

The conditions that exist in the work environment where forklifts operate can give rise to forklift hazards. Common examples include:

• Poor lighting

• Working in a place with ramps
• Working on dirt or gravel
• Working and braking on slippery ground/floors
• Use of a combustible fuel in a poorly-ventilated area
• Congested work spaces
• Pits in the floor

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are involved in many forklift accidents. Some of the common scenarios that often result in accidents include:

• Ferrying passengers on the forklift truck
• Operating with an obstructed view
• Speeding, which results in the failure of the forklift to stop in time to avoid foot traffic
• Not being aware of the presence of pedestrians in the work area

Always Put Safety First

Make sure that all operators are educated on all known hazards associated with the operation of forklift trucks. Apart from the operators playing their part in ensuring safety, it is important to ensure that when shopping for used CAT Forklift Parts, Toyota forklift parts, or Hyster forklift parts, go for dealers that test them before putting them on the market and provide some form of warranty. Always buy new or used forklift parts from reputable dealers.

New vs Used Forklift Parts: Which Way To Go?

During forklift maintenance, most organizations have to decide whether to go for new or used parts. The decision is not at all easy as there are a lot of considerations and implications of either decision. One thing that remains important is the need to make sure that every time you invest in spares, they are forklift oem parts, regardless of whether they are used or new. To help you arrive at a prudent decision, this blog looks at the various pros and cons of buying new as well used parts.

Used Forklift Parts

Used forklift parts are often salvaged from damaged and old forklifts that are beyond the scope of maintenance or repairs. It is advisable to buy used parts from professional dealers who inspect, clean, and categorize them before putting them up for sale. There are several advantages associated with buying used forklift parts, and some of them include:

• They are very helpful during emergencies when new parts are still unavailable and you want the forklift to get back to work as soon as possible.
• It is often helpful to buy individual used parts instead of entire assemblies
• Used forklift parts are available at affordable prices that can be as low as 70 percent of the brand-new options.
• When your forklift is no-longer being manufactured, used forklift parts come in handy
• Some dealers will offer warranties on lift truck salvage parts.

New Forklift Parts

In certain instances, it is inescapable to buy brand new parts for a variety of reasons. Some of them include but are not restricted to:

• With brand new forklift parts, you have the assurance of knowing that, apart from getting oem forklift parts, your investment will serve you for a long time and make sure that your equipment performs optimally and safely.
• Brand new parts come with a manufacturer warranty that insulates you against repairs costs in the event that they malfunction
• If you are looking to sell your forklift, it may be wise to install brand new spares as they can help raise its value

Choose the best way forward depending on your requirements and other factors related to your purchase. You can get a lot of reputable forklift parts dealers online, whether you are in Atlanta or any other place. Never forget to do your groundwork to ensure that you are buying from the best and getting forklift oem parts for your money.