Tips To Reducing Your Forklift Truck Downtime

There are many steps that you can take to reduce your material handling equipment downtimes. Most of it has to do with operator training, maintenance, and repairs, which must all be of impeccable quality. At the heart of all the efforts is the need to make sure that forklift oem parts are installed all the time. If you are shopping on a limited budget, it possible to still get the best of both worlds by going for used forklift trucks. Let’s look at how you can approach your new or used forklifts purchases in a way that cuts down on downtimes and also optimizes performance and safety.

Always act quick

The first and maybe most important ingredient to any excellent maintenance or repair policy is making sure that issues are addressed immediately. Make it part of your warehouse or jobsite policy for forklift operators and technicians to immediately report and attend to any malfunctioning and worn parts. This is especially true for critical parts such as the brakes, boots and seals, and clamps.

Know how to find the right forklift parts

There are a number of options that you may explore when hunting for new or used forklift parts. If you are shopping on a restricted budget or looking to buy a hard-to-find part, used forklift parts or salvage forklift parts can be a lifesaver. The option gives you access to a comprehensive collection of used forklift parts from makes and models manufactured over a period spanning decades. At Absolute Lift Parts, we offer the widest collection of used and salvage forklift parts for Toyota, Caterpillar, Hyster, and Nissan forklift trucks.

A guarantee of value

Used and salvage forklift parts constitute an obvious risk for newbies who run the risk of buying untested ones. Our used forklift parts are tested to make sure that they give you value for your money. This is reflected in the limited warranties that we provide for all used and salvage forklift parts. Talk to us today to discuss your requirement by calling at 877-475-5438. Welcome to the home of all things forklifts!

Due Diligence When Buying Used Forklift Parts

Forklifts trucks today enjoy widespread usage as opposed to in the past when they were restricted to a handful of industries. This is largely due to the numerous forklift designs available in the market and the never-ending innovation in the forklift manufacturing industry. Forklift owners can save on maintenance and repair costs and find hard-to-find parts by opting for used forklift parts. The used forklift parts market is murky territory for novices and this brief gives you the basic tips to help you get value for your money.

Reputation, Reputation

Not all forklift parts dealers are made the same, which is why it is important to separate the real deal from the pretenders. Before you can delve in the specifics, the easiest way to arrive at a shortlist is to take into account the reputation of the various dealers under your consideration. Whether they provide new or salvage forklift parts, reputation matters. You can easily ascertain this by speaking to other forklift users or checking out online reviews. 

Get forklift OEM Parts

Always make sure that you are getting forklift oem parts for your fleet. There are lots of fake forklift parts in the market and buying them has many disadvantages. The parts wont last long and may introduce more problems to your forklift trucks. The right parts must be compatible with your truck’s make and model. This makes it important to know the serial number, make, and model of your truck.

Get Some Form of Warranty

A warranty is a must-have when shopping to make sure that you are the safe side. Although used forklift parts are often not under standard warranties, a dealer can extend a limited warranty. This works to show that they are sincere in their dealings and you can also enjoy some peace of mind. A warranty informs you that the parts have been tested and judged to still possess some life in them and free from any issues. 

Get a quote

Always get a quote first. This helps you spend within your budget. Talk to us for amazing deals on a whole range of toyota used forklift parts, caterpillar used forklift parts, hyster used forklift parts, and nissan used forklift parts. We are a reputable used forklift parts dealer with decades of experience and everything in forklifts. Browse through our inventory or call us at 877-475-5438 to discuss your requirement with forklift experts.

Top Tips on Forklift Repairs and Maintenance

Forklifts, like any other vehicle or piece of equipment, go through wear and tear. This calls for unique repairs, regular maintenance, and installing used forklift oem parts to avoid breakdowns, accidents, costly repairs, and accelerated depreciation. The critical nature of forklift in any job site you find them makes it a nightmare for even one of them to break down. Check out these vital tips to keeping your forklift truck fleet in top shape. 

Regularly Read Meter and Check Tires

Checking tires and reading the meter are part of important routines that every forklift truck owner or operator must engage in. Regular forklift maintenance is informed by usage and time intervals. Time pertains to days, weeks, and months, while usage has to do with key and pedal hours. Checking tire pressure helps you handle the forklift safely, get the best traction, most efficient gas economy, and save on repairs costs. 

Check Antifreeze Levels

Check antifreeze levels every time before using the forklift. Forklifts need proper antifreeze levels to avoid freezing or overheating. Check and top up your antifreeze to reduce or eliminate problems at the most inconvenient times. If you have to top up your antifreeze levels more frequently, check the reservoir and radiator for leaks. 

Recycle Parts

While you must always install forklift oem parts, it is equally important to recycle them. It is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to manage forklift truck parts. Salvage forklift parts are a great way to recycle forklift parts. Make sure that the parts have been tested before putting your money down. You can also bag salvage forklift oem parts with a limited warranty of some sort if you search for the best dealers.

Never Delay Fixing Brakes

Brakes are very important to the safe operation of a forklift truck and any malfunction can have catastrophic consequences. Any problems with the brakes must be addressed immediately. It only takes a few minutes to replace worn calipers and brake pads, while failure to do so can have far-reaching consequences. 

Always Go for Warranties

Whenever you go shopping for forklift oem parts, it is advisable to go for options that feature warranties. Warranties may cost you more in the short-term but save you immensely in the long run. You must also know how to maximize warranties on your forklift trucks, and forklift oem parts, including salvage forklift parts.

Dangerous Forklift Modifications To Avoid

Lift trucks are responsible for a lot of accidents, injuries, and death around the world. However, if properly maintained, repaired, fitted with forklift oem parts, and operated by competent operators, they provide a substantial boost in terms of productivity and eliminate all known hazards. In an effort to customize forklifts for specific tasks or cut corners in terms of repairs and maintenance, some people modify their forklifts. While modifications may be necessary, there are some that are downright dangerous as they seek to alter the truck’s capacity, intended use, or balance. In this blog, we look at 3 such modifications you ought to avoid.

Adding Accessories

One area that often features unsafe modification is the overhead guard, where you can find additional lights, mirrors, fans, strobes, and fire extinguishers. While some forklift manufactures cater for such additions by designing overhead guards with additional holes, other brands and models don’t. In the absence of additional holes, it is not advisable to drill additional holes as it may compromise safety. You may find yourself exposed in the event of incidents such as rollovers and falling objects. The best approach is to mount any accessories on an external mounting bracket which can be secured around the overhead guard.

Alterations To The Fork

Forklifts preform a host of activities which extend to acting as a crane when you need to vertically hoist heavy objects. You can easily find customized forklift attachments for that purpose from 3rd party suppliers for the ultimate in safety. It is, however, uncommon for some mechanics to take the ill-advised route of modifying the fork for such purposes. There are many reasons why such modifications are unsafe including the fact that it is impossible to know the forks’ lift capacity.

Counterweight Modifications

It is ill-advised to make attempts at modifying a forklift to increase the size of its counterweight. The objective of such modifications is often to a forklift’s rated capacity so that it can lift overweight or over-sized loads by inflating the force exerted at fulcrum’s back-end. The counterweight plays a central role in the forklift’s stability, making such alterations ill-advised. The operator of any such modified forklift can easily tip it as it has a reduced margin of error when it comes to shifting the center of gravity.

Always Consult Professionals

It is advisable to consult professionals before embarking on any modifications of your forklift. Always opt for forklift oem parts and approved accessories from the manufacturer or third parties. Create a policy around this issue and ensure that all your in-house mechanics know its importance.

Tips On Changing Forks On Your Forklift Truck

Although you can always take your forklift to a qualified and experienced mechanic for maintenance and repairs, it pays to know how to do some of the work in house. You can find excellent forklift used oem parts at authorized dealers or vendors that provide forklift salvage parts. In this blog, we look at how you can change the forks on your forklift. A damaged fork can be the cause for disaster or fatal accidents in the workplace.

Know your forklift

The first thing you need to do is go through the forklift’s manual as forklift come in different configurations. How you replace the forks is different for sit-down pallet movers, narrow merchandise movers, and large boat movers. Make sure you are using the forklift’s oem parts, and you can check its load capacity rating as listed on the forklift. The load capacity should match with the replacement part.

Find Ample Space

To safely replace the fork, you need ample space. Find an open area that has generous space and lower the fork until it is resting on the floor or at its lowest height. Place something underneath if it does not rest on the floor.

Switch Forklift Off

Some forklift must be on when you change the forks. If your forklift does not require this, it is advisable to switch it off. Check the mounting mechanism to know how to proceed. 

Check Forklift and Mount

You need to inspect all the aspects of the fork and its mounting. Look at the pins, screws, and welds to establish if they are in an excellent condition. If you notice any damage to the fork, chances are the mount is damaged as well and needs replacement. 

Study The Fork Mounting

It is important to know how your forklift is mounted. You can make a drawing or take a picture to create a reference for when installing the replacement fork. The mounting will be any of the 3 types – standard hook, non-standard hook, and pin.

Release the Forks

Standard hook forklifts feature a top and bottom locking mechanism while contemporary models have quick-change forks. For older models, first release the top mechanism and then release the bottom as the forks begin to come to a rest on the floor. A pin lock mechanism may feature a pin, shaft, or rod which locks into the fork’s ‘eye’. The fork is released when you unlock the mount and slide out the pin. Remove the forks and mark them ‘damaged’.

Put the replacement fork in position in front of the forklift. Reverse your action and if you are unsure, refer to your reference. Test the new forks out on small pallets before moving to big ones. Your dealer, whether for new or salvage forklift parts can help you find the right forks for your truck. Make sure salvage forklift parts are tested for any damage before you buy. A simple online search will show you many providers of CAT used forklift parts and other popular brands such as Toyota used forklift parts.

Tips On Evaluating A Used Forklift Before Buying

If you are an average business owner or manager looking to buy a forklift, the proposition can be overwhelming. If you are looking to buy a used or salvage forklift truck, the situation becomes even more critical as you have to be in a position to evaluate its condition and establish the availability of forklift oem parts to avoid throwing your money down the drain. This blog shares a shortlist of 5 tips to guide you when checking out used forklifts.

Know How To Read The Hour Meter

All forklift trucks come equipped with an hour meter to help the operator/owner and servicing dealer track its usage. While some meters feature 5 digits others only have 4. The 4-digit meter will read 0000 once it reaches the 10,000-hour mark. Unscrupulous dealers may try to pass it on to unsuspecting shoppers at this point. Some meters capture various elements of the forklift such as hydraulic pump hours, drive hours, etc., making it important to be able to decode the information. Other issues to look out for include a replaced meter (which will start from 0000) or an unhooked or dead meter.

Unauthorized Chassis Modifications

Be on the lookout for any signs of welding, drilling, or heating on the chassis that has not been okayed by the manufacturer. Such modifications have the effect of weakening the structural components leading to premature failure. Other modifications to look for include the unauthorized addition of a counterweight.

Incomplete Capacity Data Plate

Over the life of a forklift, accessories and attachments of all nature and kind can be attached and removed without the consent of the manufacturer. This results in an inaccurate data plate that can be dangerously misleading.

Wrong Year Of Manufacture

You must make sure to verify any forklift truck’s year of manufacture before putting your money down. Contact the manufacturer with model and serial numbers of the forklift to have them verify the year of manufacture. 

Harsh Previous Applications

You must be in a position to know in what work the forklift has been involved to eliminate those that have endured a tough life that may not be reflected in the hour meter reading. Get a comprehensive mechanical assessment and make sure that forklift oem parts are available on the market. You can also check for the availability of salvage forklift parts.

Why Buying a Used or Salvage Forklift Makes Sense

Nothing can really replace a forklift whether you are operating on a commercial or industrial site. With the right forklift, you are in a better position to quickly, safely, and efficiently deal with your logistical work. When you set out to shop for the best forklift truck for your operational requirements, there are a number of vital decisions that you have to make, chief among them, whether to buy a brand new or used forklift. New forklift demand huge upfront costs while used options gift you the necessary operational capacity if you buy one whose forklift oem parts are not hard to get. Let’s look at some of the instances where a used forklift is a better buy.

When Looking to Make Savings

Forklift trucks constitute a substantial investment that ought to be approached prudently. You need to make sure that your investment is designed to stimulate growth. Used trucks make sense as they are available at a fraction of the price, in most instances less than half the showroom price. You can also access forklift oem parts at vendors that provide salvage forklift parts that have been tested. 

For a Backup Truck

A used truck is ideal when you are looking for a backup forklift to tidy you when your main truck suffers mechanical problems. The backup truck can always stepup whenever your frontline equipment is going through maintenance. This ensures that you don’t suffer losses or soil your reputation by failing to fulfill your contractual obligations.

Cater for Surplus Stock

If your business experiences spikes in the demand of your products, it makes sense to keep a used forklift for backup so it can take care of the temporary/seasonal spikes in business. Having a standby forklift truck helps you meet the needs of your customers timeously and efficiently. 

Take Care of Ancillary Tasks

If you do not need a forklift truck for your core business but other ancillary duties such occasionally moving a pallet or two, the best route to go is buying a used forklift truck. You need to opt for an affordable used forklift when it is meant to cater to necessary but light duties. 

Talk to your forklift dealer

Talk to your forklift dealer for options and also take time to check out the availability of forklift oem parts for the models under your consideration. Make sure any salvage forklift parts that you buy have been tested, and better still, come with some form of warranty.