Forklift an equipment used to lift heavy weights in construction, can break down at any time due to mechanical failure, which may lead to heavy repair costs and delayed projects.
With the increasing forklift repair costs, businesses are focusing more on preventative forklift maintenance to avoid safety risks, lower work performance, and high construction costs. Preventive forklift maintenance helps reduce repair costs, increase resale value, and boost vehicle performance.
It is specifically important for older forklifts as their components, such as wiring and electric motors, can degrade faster than normal and need more frequent maintenance. In this article, we will explain how forklift servicing can save money, its cost, and what is included in this maintenance.
Before discussing preventative maintenance, first understand how it is different from routine forklift maintenance.
Preventative Forklift Maintenance Vs. Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance usually includes basic forklift service tasks such as oil changes, fluid checks, and minor repairs completed at regular intervals. It is usually done after the breakdown occurs or according to the vehicle manufacturer.
For example, most forklift manufacturers recommend servicing based on operating hours and workplace conditions.
Preventative forklift maintenance, on the other hand, is a thorough and detailed inspection that often includes complete inspection, testing, diagnosis, and servicing of the forklift components to prevent unexpected breakdown.
For example, using advanced diagnostic tools like OBD-II by skilled mechanics to detect pending problems or failures before they appear.
7 Reasons Why Preventative Forklift Servicing Saves Money
Among countless reasons why forklift servicing can save money, here are some of them
1- Reduce High Forklift Repair Costs
Small mechanical issues can quickly turn into major failures when left unchecked. A leaking hydraulic hose may seem minor at first. However, if ignored, it can damage hydraulic pumps, seals, and lifting systems.
Regular forklift service appointments help technicians identify these issues early.
For example, while repairing one of the client’s forklifts, we realised that a certain engine issue could have been prevented thousands of dollars in damage, by a low-cost inspection. It often happens with the drivers who ignore preventative maintenance.
2- Increase Forklift Resale Value
Preventative forklift maintenance offers a higher resale value. This is because buyers often check service records before purchasing used machinery. A forklift with a documented servicing history gives buyers the assurance that the machine has been properly maintained previously.
Besides that, it also helps to
- Reduce excessive wear
- Extend equipment lifespan
- Maintain better performance
- Protect important components
3- Ensure Workplace Safety
A poorly maintained forklift can cause accidents and injuries among workers at the workplace. That is why safety is one of the biggest reasons to invest in preventative maintenance.
Mechanical failures like faulty brakes, damaged tyres and forks, and leaking hydraulic fluid can create serious risks in construction sites and worksites.
For proper safety, a forklift inspection must include
- Brake inspections
- Steering checks
- Fork wear checks
- Tyre condition analyses
- Warning light testing
4- Improved Vehicle Performance
Forklift’s performance and efficiency, such as lifting objects, are affected by dirty filters, worn tyres, and ignoring battery issues.
But regular forklift maintenance can increase its performance by
- Improving lifting performance
- Reducing vibration
- Improving steering response
- Maintaining hydraulic efficiency
- Eliminating strain on components
5- Reduce Unexpected Breakdown Time
An unexpected forklift breakdown can halt the work performance in the middle of an important project. An emergency forklift repair Perth not only charged the construction company with high costs but also took longer, disrupting the workflow.
But regular forklift servicing can reduce the risk of sudden breakdowns, emergency call-outs, delayed projects, lost productivity, and operational downtime.
6- Boost Business Productivity
It is a simple science that a well-maintained forklift works efficiently with fewer problems and does not stop working suddenly. This will eventually boost productivity and improve workflow efficiency at the warehouse and at construction sites.
For example, a few months back, we came to know that a customer in one of Perth’s warehouses experienced repeated downtime because of ignoring tyre and battery issues. But after focusing on preventative maintenance, breakdowns were reduced greatly and daily operations became more consistent.
7- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency
Poorly maintained forklifts often consume more fuel and place extra strain on batteries and electrical systems. It has been estimated that fuel consumption can increase in a poorly maintained forklift, often resulting in more fuel expenses.
Hence, forklift maintenance can reduce this fuel waste by
- Replacing dirty filters
- Maintaining engine performance
- Reducing unnecessary strain
- Keeping tyres properly inflated
What Services Are Included In Forklift Preventative Maintenance
A professional forklift maintenance service is not like basic repairing, but includes detailed inspection services such as
- Hydraulic inspections
- Fluid and oil checks
- Brake and battery testing
- Mast and chain inspections
- Tyre replacement
- Engine diagnostics
- Filter replacements
- Lubrication servicing
Cost Of Forklift Preventative Maintenance Services
The cost of preventative forklift servicing ranges from $200 to $500, but it can vary based on the type of forklift, its age, operating hours, condition, and service requirements. However, preventative maintenance is usually far cheaper than emergency forklift repair costs in the long term.
Moreover, Perth’s operating conditions include dust, heavy loads, and high operating temperatures. It can also place extra pressure on forklifts and hydraulic systems.
Get the Best forklift Preventive Maintenance service
Forklifts are the core element of any construction site or industry, making work easier and saving a lot of time. And its maintenance is one of the smartest investments a business can make for its growth.
Regular forklift servicing helps reduce repair costs, improve safety, increase productivity, and extend equipment lifespan. It also lowers the risk of unexpected breakdowns that can interrupt daily work.
Meanwhile, choosing the right service provider is important.
Look for a company with
- Experienced & expert forklift mechanic
- Fast response times
- Access to replacement parts
- Workshop capabilities
- Industry experience
So, Need Reliable Forklift Servicing In Perth?
Choose World Wide Construction Machinery?
We at WCM have been working in the construction machinery industry since 1982, and we
- Offer machinery servicing and inspections
- Provide repairs and preventative maintenance
- understand how costly equipment downtime can be
- Focus on practical maintenance solutions
FAQ
1-What are the benefits of preventative maintenance?
Preventive forklift maintenance can save repair costs, improve vehicle performance, ensure the safety of the workers, increase resale value, and prevent sudden breakdowns.
2- What is the preventative maintenance of the forklift?
The preventative maintenance of the forklift includes inspection, diagnosis, testing, and servicing of any pending issues to avoid high cost repairing before anything goes wrong.
3- How can preventative maintenance of a forklift save money?
The preventative maintenance can save money by reducing the cost of repair and buying a new forklift fleet. Besides that, it also improves work performance by making the workflow more efficient.
4- What are the 7 elements of forklift preventative maintenance?
The 7 key elements of forklift maintenance include hydraulic inspections, brake checks, battery testing, tyre inspections, fluid servicing, engine inspection, and safety inspections.
5- How often does a forklift need to be serviced?
The period of hw much a forklift needs to be serviced depends on its age. New forklifts are expected to be maintained every 500 hours, while old ones need to be serviced after 350-400 hours.