After purchasing any expensive asset, you want it to last, right? Depreciation is an expected cost, but that doesn’t mean you should increase that rate by not taking care of your machines. Forklifts are no exception. Make sure you’re keeping a consistent eye on your forklifts by knowing how often you should conduct forklift maintenance.

 Ways to Determine Forklift Maintenance Frequency: 

Schedule based on lift truck hours used:

Kin to mileage, you should be tracking how many hours your lift truck has logged. For electric lifts, we recommend getting a professional checkup every 200 to 250 hours or so — assuming you’re not putting an abnormal amount of stress on the vehicle.

Regardless of use, make sure you’re getting regular tune-ups. Even if you don’t reach 200 hours, get an official safety check every 3-6 months. Scheduling them out quarterly is a good way to ensure your safety and your equipment’s longevity.

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Different parts should be checked after certain hour milestones.

For example, apart from you 200-250 hour checkups, every five hundred hours or so you should check your spark plugs and antifreeze.

For the 1,000 hour mark (typically a year or so), make sure you check out all your filters, lube, and brakes.

What are signs that your forklifts need to be serviced?

Changes in Efficiency 

If there are changes in forklift battery and gas consumption, you should get it worked on. Just like your favorite car, you should be monitoring your forklifts efficiency by keeping accurate records of how often you have to charge or fill up your lift truck.

Strange Noises

This one is obvious, but if you hear a new sound that you’re not used to hearing, chances are something is different! Be safe rather than sorry and get it looked at. You don’t want to risk it.

Just remember to establish a strict schedule and stick to it! Hope this helps!