Forklift Maintenance 101 Benefits, Frequency and Cost

Forklifts require full maintenance and servicing every 200-250 hours of operation or every six weeks. Before using a forklift on any job site, it should undergo a daily inspection. Not only does forklift maintenance keep your machine in top condition, but it also helps you avoid safety hazards.

Forklift maintenance is a purposefully broad term. Depending on the type of power your forklift uses, the frequency and type of servicing it needs may change. Maintenance encompasses everything from regular cleaning to testing safety features and replacing damaged parts. By staying on top of upkeep, companies ensure the maximum return on investment and the lowest chance of facing a safety hazard.

Forklift Service and Repair Benefits

Whether you’re concerned with safety or performance, inspections and repairs can only benefit your team. The most efficient companies manage to incorporate service into their daily operations. Following this example sets any team up for success with:

Improved Safety

Because forklift and industrial truck accidents cause around 35,000 injuries a year, maximizing employee safety is vital. Whether your device carries pallets, tools or raw materials, one malfunction can endanger the operator and anyone around the forklift. With proper maintenance, teams avoid unnecessary hazards.

Greater Productivity

When machinery constantly breaks down, a team’s overall productivity drops. By contrast, a forklift in good condition will continue to carry loads and ensure a return on investment. Even a short inspection will ensure your forklift can handle the loads it needs to carry. When the success of a project depends on functional machinery, regular maintenance is crucial.

Maximum Service Life

Regular maintenance helps teams catch problems before they arise. This saves money that would go to more expensive repairs down the line. Additionally, it ensures that you get the most use out of a forklift throughout its service life. Frequent repairs incur a small cost compared to the money spent rebuilding a device from the ground up.

Higher Resale Value

Not all companies keep a forklift throughout its whole service life. Many teams opt to sell their machines after a few years of use. A well-maintained device will go for a lot more on resale than a poorly serviced forklift. With this in mind, regular maintenance leads to a bigger payout when it’s time to replace job equipment.

How Often Do Forklifts Need To Be Checked for Maintenance?

Depending on the parts checked and the quality of your device, every forklift component requires servicing between 200 and 2,000 hours

While safety features like the alarm need a daily inspection, some internal parts only require quarterly maintenance. To determine how often forklifts need repairs, there are several factors to consider. Some of them include:

Age: A 5-year-old machine requires more frequent inspections than a year-old forklift.

History of service: If one part of your forklift has repeatedly broken down, you should pay attention to it during regular upkeep.

Line of work: Some projects pose greater risks to your forklift than others. A forklift carrying pallets through a warehouse faces less damage than a machine hauling raw materials across unstable terrain.

General Forklift Maintenance Tips

The above checklists ensure that you always optimize your forklift’s condition. But for teams that want to go above and beyond, small additions can do more to help stay on top of upkeep. By keeping a few general tips in mind, you will go the extra mile in extending a forklift’s service life. Some examples include:

Regular cleaning: At the end of every workweek, operators should ensure their device is clean.

Collision inspection: After every collision or accident, even minor ones, check the forklift for signs of damage.

Remember maintenance qualifications: Keep in mind that only licensed operators and technicians should handle upkeep and inspections.

Act fast: Whenever an issue arises, teams should deal with it as soon as possible. Any service delays could result in damage or injury.