Time’s Up – What Effect Does Age Have on Your Forklift Lifespan?
Your forklifts are an integral part of your warehouse or yard operation. To achieve maximum efficiency, all of your forklifts need to be clicking on all cylinders. Once you have forklifts that spend more time in the shop than on the floor, you know it’s time to replace them. There’s a tendency to try to get as much useful life out of a forklift as possible by continually making repairs, but at some point, replacement is the option that provides the best ROI.
The forklift lifespan is determined by hours in service rather than simply by age. For example, a light use, indoor operation may see 8,000 or more hours, whereas a heavy use, outdoor operation may very well see less than 2,000 hours. Forklift owners also need to be aware of the difference between the ‘economic life’ and the ‘useful life’ of forklifts. A forklift may still run, but it may not be getting the job done because of age, wear and tear, damage or obsolescence. Some of the factors that affect forklift lifespan are:
- The Ambient Conditions
A forklift used inside a temperature-controlled warehouse will generally last longer than a truck used outdoors in extreme temperatures and in corrosive environments such as a seaport yard. - Quality & Regularity of Maintenance Program
It’s proven that forklifts under a Planned Maintenance program live longer and have healthier lives. For example, essential maintenance such as replacing bent or worn forks and frayed wiring harnesses will help you get the most from your vehicle. - Using the Right Forklift for the Job
Another key to a healthy forklift lifespan is to use the vehicle built for the task at hand. If your forklift is routinely handling loads at its max capacity, it might be better to purchase a vehicle with higher capacity. Also, ensure the specs of the truck (i.e., engine, transmission, etc.) are right for the job. The Apex team is here to ensure you get the warehouse vehicles you need to get the job done safely and cost-effectively. - Experienced Operators
Forklift cowboys can be a truck’s worst enemy. Knowledgeable, observant operators get the most out of a forklift. Apex can support Operator Training with a comprehensive course and hands-on experience. Experienced operators will provide timely notification for when a forklift is in need of service to prevent further damage and more expensive repairs.
- Electric vs. Internal Combustion Vehicles
Electric forklifts typically provide about 13,000 hours of operation, whereas internal combustion forklifts average around 10,000 hours.
Here are some tips for deciding whether it’s time to replace your forklift.
- The forklift has exceeded its economic lifespan – Your forklift may still be operational, but if it spends too much time in the shop, it’s likely reached the end of its economic lifespan. It will help you decide when to replace it if you keep track of how much it costs your operation to have the vehicle out of service and what you are spending to maintain it. Similarly, if your rental expenses are creeping up because you’re having more breakdowns, consider that a sign that it’s likely time to consider a replacement.
- The forklift has damage or wear that can’t be repaired or renders the truck unsafe to operators or other personnel – Engines wear out. If the lift can no longer meet its design capacity, such as its ability to lift a load to a specified height, it’s probably time to replace it. Cracks or distortion in a forklift’s chassis can affect steering and make driving unpredictable.
- The business conditions of your operation have changed – for example, are you moving heavier loads? Have you installed taller racking or condensed aisle space? Don’t try to put a square peg in a round hole. Your current forklift may not be adequately sized to handle your new operating conditions.
- Although hours in service are more important than age, sometimes age does matter – That venerable ancient forklift may still work, but it probably doesn’t have the speed, torque, and power that it had when you bought it. Nor does it have all the safety features or data collection and reporting ability of today’s hi-tech machines. An older internal-combustion-engine forklift might be a gas guzzler. Today’s electric forklifts might cost more, but their operating costs are lower.
Once you’ve decided that you need to replace one or more of your current forklifts, a series of other decisions come into play: Do I buy or lease? Do I buy a new or a used forklift? Do I upgrade to a battery forklift? To one with a lithium-ion battery?
Your Apex rep can help you with all of the above decisions; give us a call. We can review your current business needs and recommend a forklift that will provide you with the latest technology and safety devices to offer you years of reliable service. Also, remember Apex when your looking to add new pallet racking systems to your warehouse —we offer attractive leasing agreements that help you stretch your capital expenditure dollars.
Apex is your forklift headquarters in the Chicagoland area.