2 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Warehouse's Old Forklift
If you own and operate a warehouse, a key piece of equipment that you may utilize is a forklift that helps you move stock around. However, if the machine is getting older, you may wonder whether or not it is time to replace it. If so, below are signs that your old forklift needs to be replaced with a new one.
1. Fork Blades Constantly Need Replacing
One sign that you may be ready to replace your old forklift is when you find that you are having to constantly replace the blades. Over time, the lifting blades become worn out and even slightly warped, especially when used to lift heavy loads.
While having to replace the blades once or twice within the lifespan of the machine is not unusual, if you find that you are having to do so every few months or even monthly, the problem may be with the forklift itself. If the lift is no longer in alignment or is wearing down, the loads will shift every time it is used.
As the loads shift, the blades will suffer from increased uneven stress. Not only will the blades suffer, but the forklift itself can become warped or the misalignment may become worse.
Even if you continue to replace the blades, the problem will not resolve itself. In this case, it is better to go ahead to replace the entire piece of equipment.
2. Engine and/or Transmission Starts Failing
Another sign that you may be ready to replace your warehouse's forklift is when either the engine or transmission starts to fail. When the engine starts to fail, you may have problems getting it to start or it may lose power. When the transmission fails, the gears will start to slip, making the forklift harder to control, which can be dangerous.
While you may think about simply replacing whichever part of the motor is failing, there is a high likelihood that when one breaks down on a forklift, the other will do the same fairly quickly. To avoid the cost of money and loss of productivity, you should consider replacing the entire forklift instead.
If parts keep wearing down and increasing your costs and decreasing your warehouse's work productivity, the money and time wasted on the old forklift are most likely no longer worth it. Contact a heavy construction equipment company like Lift Solutions, Inc. that offers new forklifts for sale to discuss your options for replacing your old machine with a new one that will serve your business's workload needs.
