3 Signs Your Forklift Needs Tires, Blades or Total Refurbishment

Mar 15, 2017

You Need Forklift Repair

You Need Forklift Repair. Forklifts are like cars in many ways. They’re both powerful four-wheelers that require regular service and maintenance. Forklifts, like cars, also wear down over time and need to be refurbished to extend their lifespan and make them safer. The trick for owners may be knowing when to take on necessary repairs and when it makes sense to completely refurbish your forklift. At Benco  Industrial Equipment, our professionals are available to conduct forklift repair and discuss your refurbishment options.

Tires

The average set of forklift tires can handle thousands of pounds of pressure. That amount of weight can also wear them out quickly. Although warehouses generally enjoy smooth concrete floors, anytime these treads hit a rough spot or debris, gouging occurs. Here are three basic ways to know if you require tire replacement:

  • Worn Low:  Many forklift tires have a defined line to help know when they are becoming unsafe. Some call it the 50 percent wear line. It’s important to not operate a vehicle once that measure has been breached.
  • Chunking:  When tires start losing pieces or you see rubber starting to peel away, that’s a good time to replace them. It means they’re losing integrity and that could put an operator or bystander in harm’s way.
  • Flattening:  Some tires can wear out in odd spots. If they’re not well rounded, just replace them.

Forklift Blades

Blades are another safety concern and a common part that needs to be repaired or replaced. Having defective or uneven forks can lead to losing control of a load and could endanger the lives of your workers. Here are three things to look for when inspecting your forklift blades:

  • Cracks on the surface of the forklift blades
  • Height differences between the forklift blades
  • Faulty position locking

When your forklift blades start to fade, stay safe and don’t hesitate to repair or replace them!

Total Refurbishment

Beyond these common surface maintenance issues, you’ll need to evaluate the cost of significant upkeep to make an informed decision about replacing a lift. The average forklift can put in anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 work hours. Depending on how light the use, some go much further; however, with every few thousand hours, the cost of routine maintenance and potentially significant forklift repair increases.

After about 10,000 hours (or six to seven years of use), major and costly forklift repairs may start adding up. That’s the time when key operating necessities such as drive units, transmissions, engines, and electronic components begin to falter. Unlike the regular changing of tires and forks, the cost of these big-ticket items should start you thinking about total refurbishment. Here are three ways to think about refurbishing your forklift:

  • Big Money:  One simple way of planning when to refurbish and repair your forklift is to look at the expense in terms of hourly usage cost. Apply the repair and maintenance cost to the hours of use. In all likelihood, that will increase normally with age. But when that number spikes upward, make the change.
  • Work Hours:  Another way to plan a forklift repair or upgrade is based on work hours. Think in terms of how you’d trade a car in based on mileage. Set a threshold that factors in how heavy duty the workload against the number work hours. Before you get into the high-end repairs, make a preemptive change.
  • Missing Forklift:  When thinking about refurbishing an existing machine, keep in mind that when it’s being worked on, you’re typically down a forklift. Loss of productivity is a very real expense for any business.  But with Benco, we make sure you have a loaner from our fleet so you wont have any downtime.

At  Benco  Industrial Equipment, we take great care in our forklift repair and refurbish all major brands. We understand that you can’t afford to be without a forklift during repairs, so we’ll make sure to bring you a short-term rental forklift from our fleet, keeping you productive even during forklift repairs.

Common Hazards in Your Warehouse (And How to Avoid Them)

08 Apr, 2024
Warehouses are the backbone of many industries, storing and distributing goods to keep the economy moving. However, behind the scenes of this logistical hub lurk various hazards that can pose severe risks to employees and property. Let's investigate some of the most common warehouse hazards and explore proactive mitigation strategies. Slips/Trips/Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent hazards in warehouse spaces. Spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents if not adequately addressed. To prevent such incidents, warehouses should prioritize proper housekeeping, including regular cleaning and maintenance of floors. Additionally, using signage to highlight potential hazards and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the facility can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Fires Flammable materials and electrical equipment in warehouses make them susceptible to fires. Faulty wiring, improper storage of combustible materials, and lack of fire suppression systems can all contribute to the risk of fire outbreaks. Implementing preventive measures such as regular equipment maintenance, proper storage protocols for flammable materials, and employee training on fire safety procedures are crucial in mitigating this hazard. Harmful Substances Warehouses often house various chemicals and hazardous substances, which can pose risks to employees' health if not handled properly. Exposure to harmful substances can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problems. To mitigate this hazard, warehouses should properly store and label hazardous materials, provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure adequate ventilation systems, and conduct regular training on safe handling procedures. Falling Objects With shelves stacked high with merchandise, falling objects present a significant hazard in warehouses. Poorly secured storage systems, improper stacking of items, and inadequate safety measures can all increase the risk of objects falling and causing injury. Warehouses can minimize this risk by adequately securing shelves and storage systems, using barriers or guardrails to prevent objects from falling, and conducting regular inspections of overhead storage areas. Overexertion The physical demands of warehouse work can lead to overexertion injuries if employees lack adequate training or don't perform tasks ergonomically. Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward positions can all contribute to overexertion injuries such as strains and sprains. To prevent such injuries, warehouses should provide comprehensive training on proper lifting techniques, encourage the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and implement ergonomic workstations to reduce strain on employees' bodies.

Common Inventory Management Mistakes

08 Mar, 2024
Effective inventory management practices influence the success of each warehouse, the supply chain, and the business at large. Inventory management involves many moving parts and elements – everything from the product catalog to the warehouse space to tracked KPIs. Experienced warehouse managers know that no matter how fool-proof your inventory management systems are, there’s always room to improve and prepare for unexpected circumstances. Let’s discuss common inventory management mistakes (and what to do instead). Overstocking or Understocking One of the most prevalent inventory management mistakes is maintaining too much or too little inventory. Overstocking ties up valuable capital and warehouse space, leading to increased carrying costs and a higher risk of obsolescence. On the other hand, understocking can result in stockouts, backorders, and dissatisfied customers. Businesses should leverage historical sales data, market trends, and advanced forecasting techniques to accurately predict demand and optimize inventory levels. Inaccurate Demand Forecasting Businesses are prone to making costly inventory planning errors without precise demand forecasting. Relying on outdated data or flawed forecasting methods can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By utilizing advanced analytics and predictive modeling, businesses can better anticipate shifts in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and emerging trends, allowing for more informed inventory decisions and improved responsiveness to customer needs. Lack of Inventory Visibility Poor visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations or channels can result in operational inefficiencies and errors. Without real-time data on stock levels and movement, businesses may struggle to fulfill orders on time, leading to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Implementing integrated inventory management systems that provide comprehensive visibility into inventory across the supply chain can help businesses optimize inventory allocation, reduce stockouts, and improve overall operational performance.

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts

By Denis Benden • 08 Feb, 2024
Efficient material handling is crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries. It directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and overall operational success. Effective material handling ensures that goods are moved, stored, and transported in a streamlined and organized manner, minimizing delays, damages, and errors. Electric forklifts play a significant role in effective material handling, transforming the […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts appeared first on Benco Industrial Equipment.
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