Knowing When to Repair or Replace Your Forklift

Forklifts are essential equipment for many businesses. While they’re built to take a beating, they’re bound to require forklift repair and will eventually need to be replaced. But choosing whether to replace or repair your forklift isn’t always as easy as it seems. Ask yourself the following questions to help make the decision easier.

How old is the forklift?

Unlike vehicles, forklift age is calculated by hours of use instead of years or mileage. Depending on how well it’s maintained, your forklift can last up to 10,000 hours before it needs to be replaced. If your forklift is anywhere past 8,500 hours and suddenly breaks down, it’s a good idea to consider replacing it instead of paying for repairs.

Is your technology outdated?

Forklift technology seems to get better every year, especially in terms of safety. If you’re still running an older model, talk to your forklift dealer to learn about all of the newest technological advancements. You may be surprised at how much more you’re able to accomplish in a workday with a new forklift in your fleet.

Have your needs changed?

Your forklift needs may change as your business grows. If your employees are doing extra work to compensate for outdated forklifts, don’t make the repairs—just buy a new model.

Are the repairs more expensive than a new one?

Forklift repair tends to get more expensive over time due to a higher cost of parts and more labor required to make the repairs. Compare your repair estimate to the price tag of a new forklift. Often, a new truck is just a little bit more expensive than paying to repair an old forklift.

How much downtime are you experiencing?

Don’t just think of repair costs in terms of how much you need to pay the mechanic. You also need to consider how much time and money you’re losing due to the truck being in the repair shop. In many cases, your downtime is actually more costly than the repair bill. If downtime is an issue, cut your losses and buy a new truck.

If you’re not ready to buy another truck but still don’t want to worry about downtime, rent a forklift from our team at V-Bar Equipment Company. Our affordable rental program ensures your business stays as efficient as possible while we’re working on repairs.

Are the equipment failures dangerous?

Think about the types of repairs you need to make. If the equipment failure is related to some kind of forklift safety feature, we recommend buying a new one. With a new forklift, you can rest easy knowing your forklift operators and all nearby employees are safe while on the clock.

V-Bar Equipment Company has you covered

Whether you need forklift repair or are looking to purchase a brand-new truck, we’re the team for the job. We’re capable of making on-site repairs, so you don’t need to spend time transporting your damaged truck to and from a repair shop. We also sell the highest-quality trucks that are guaranteed to last for years without fail. Talk to us today to see what we can do for you.

Categorised in: Forklift Maintenance

This post was written by Writer