Forklifts can become a liability as opposed to an asset if you don’t take care of them. Repairs for a forklift can range from ordinary and routine to extraordinary and expensive. It all begins with how you approach maintenance. Preventative maintenance is the key to preventing the onset of these costly repairs that can be exhaustive. It is imperative not to neglect any forklift and to make sure that it is appropriately cared for. Doing so will save you thousands! Whether you own a new forklift or have the same old one in operation to tackle daily operations, it is important to keep a watchful eye on all the components of these vehicles. Are you looking to save a pretty penny on maintenance costs? Well be on the lookout for these expensive repairs that can be averted with routine check-ups:

1) Electrical System – The electrical system comprises many different parts of this material handling apparatus. It starts at the battery and its terminals and transcends to the lighting system, power steering, lift trucks, and dashboard. Moreover, fuse boxes are a part of the electrical system and also need to be maintained appropriately. Many forklifts also feature an onboard computer to run diagnostics on all the parts of the vehicle. This is a useful tool for the forklift to diagnose an error or issue in its preliminary stages. Thus, it is imperative to make sure all fuses are regularly changed. Furthermore, all terminals need to watched for rust or corrosion. In addition, monitoring the lighting system is another key behavior, as it can spare operators the risk of many avoidable accidents. Checking the electrical system and amending the parts appropriately takes just a few minutes.

2) Radiator – It is another key practice to inspect the status of the radiator and cooling system. Failing to do so can result in a breakdown that can cost in excess of $3,000. Prior to each use check the radiator cap to make sure it is secured. Furthermore, inspect all the lines and the radiator itself for leaking coolant. Doing this can detect any issues before they arise and prevent the vehicle from overheating. In addition, a coolant spill can create a lot of paperwork and is potential hazardous materials incident. The cost of such an event can be whopping. To avoid these situations, all that one has to do is a quick look over before the vehicle goes to work for the day. Toyota in particular stresses the urge to monitor this portion of the appliance.

3) Transmission – The heartbeat of any vehicle is the transmission. Comprised of the hub itself along with the transaxle fluid, many forklifts also come equipped with a powertrain warranty that can extend beyond ten years or 150, 000 miles. A fundamental aspect of maintaining any forklift is to jump on any slips or leaks detected from this system immediately. A faulty transmission can result in hefty expenses or complete malfunction of the vehicle.