Forklift Repair: DIY Could Mean Disaster |
Posted: January 6, 2021 |
Have you ever heard any horror stories about fleet managers trying to maintain their own forklifts? Or have you heard the tales of irresponsible maintenance routines that are essentially founded on the idea of waiting for something to break before addressing the issue? Maybe you have actually experienced these circumstances yourself – and if so, have you been the perpetrator in either of these scenarios? If you said yes to any of those questions, you are probably wondering how these fleet managers got into such situations. After all, a good maintenance plan is an essential part of owning your own lift trucks. In fact, on average, it is almost four times more expensive to repair a forklift than it is to properly maintain the vehicle. In some cases, depending on the repair, the cost can be up to 15 times higher than what you would have spent on a consistent service plan once you account for downtime. Read on to learn about acceptable DIY fixes and when to call for professional forklift repair services. Which Repairs are Okay to Tackle Yourself?In all honesty, all forklift repairs should be completed by a trained professional. The mechanics of a forklift are very specialized and newer lift truck models are becoming increasingly complex with their high-tech components. In other words, it’s not just nuts and bolts anymore. Trained forklift technicians usually undergo hundreds of hours of training and even have to continue their education as technology evolves. You might be thinking, “So, I can’t do anything myself?” The short answer is yes, you actually can. To elaborate a bit more, you can do simple tasks like changing filters and topping off fluids, which may not necessarily be considered “repairs,” but more so maintenance tasks. A good rule of thumb is that if it is something that you might do on your personal vehicle, you can probably do it yourself on your forklift. With that said, beware – do not venture too far into technician territory, as one small mistake can cost you more than the initial forklift repair would have in the first place. The Number One Forklift Repair MistakeFleet managers often view in-house repairs as a way to save money. However, this is a common misconception, as the best way to save money on repairs is by catching them before they become a bigger issue. You can do this by using a daily inspection checklist and having operators report any damages to management as soon as they are noticed. Your daily checklist should include checking on the lift truck’s hoses, chains, back-up alarm, tires, and even the seatbelt. An inspection like this usually takes less than ten minutes and can save you thousands of dollars on repairs. Making an Informed DecisionForklifts are a vital part of any warehouse operation, and repairs shouldn’t be taken lightly. If your vehicle has any issues, get in touch with a reliable industrial equipment repair company to get it fixed. The main goal when it comes to maintenance and repairs is to save as much money as possible. As previously mentioned, the best way to do this is to have your operators perform daily inspections. When a problem is identified, let a reputable professional handle it. Repairing a small issue might cost you a few hundred bucks, but that is nothing compared to the thousands of dollars you would spend on a major repair (or worse – a re-repair if the technician has to fix a botched in-house job). If you are torn between a DIY fix and Darr Equipment’s impeccable forklift repair services, the latter is always a better choice. Our fantastic customer service and highly skilled employees are equipped to help you get your forklifts running smooth as ever via our total maintenance and repair services. Contact us today to learn more.
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