9 Signs Your Forklift Needs Service ASAP

Sometimes you're pressed to stretch your resources. A big deadline might be coming up, or it's just a busy season. But there is so much to do and so little time to get it done. Which, of course, is when your forklift starts hinting it needs a repair.

The deadline might make you consider putting off that repair, and trying to get a little bit more out of your forklift before taking it out of service. But that can be dangerous. Some signs should never be ignored. Read on to learn 9 signs that your forklift needs service ASAP.

Toyota Forklift Warranties and 360 Support


Safety, reliability and low cost of ownership are just a few reasons
Toyota forklifts have ranked #1 in the world for 16 years running. Toyota and TMHNC stand by every lift truck we sell with the Toyota 360 Support program.

Toyota 360 Support comes standard with every lift truck sold and includes a wide range of benefits to help you:

  • Keep variable maintenance costs down
  • Minimize downtime
  • Request service from your smartphone with a 4-hour guaranteed response

The Most Common Taylor Dunn Cart Repair


Taylor Dunn carts are some of the most reliable vehicles on the market. Some of our customers in San Francisco and the east bay have Taylor Dunn vehicles
mo re than thirty years old and still running.

But even top-quality vehicles like Taylor Dunn need service and repair - especially when they’re not well-maintained. Read on to learn more about the most common Taylor Dunn cart repair and how to prevent it.

Benefits of Planned Maintenance for Electric Forklifts


Does it make sense to buy planned maintenance for an electric forklift? Good question.

One of the (many) reasons
electric forklifts outsell diesel, or LP forklifts is because they cost less to maintain. So what are the benefits of planned maintenance for low-maintenance equipment?

First off, electric forklifts have wearable parts (tires, brakes, chains, forks, hoses) that need to be inspected and periodically replaced, just like any other forklift.  Also, you can think of planned maintenance as a thorough safety check every 90 days. A factory-trained forklift technician will inspect the lift trucks’ safety features (chains, electrical system, lights), in addition to its accessories and any attachments.

The forklift technician can also confirm if the forklift’s battery is being maintained properly by operators. Last but not least, your team members can ask the technician questions and mention things they've noticed about the truck's performance.

Short-Term Forklift Rentals During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the American way of life and doing business. We know firsthand how difficult these times are and we stand with our customers.

Is Your Forklift Dealer an Asset to Your Business?

Every day I meet business owners and managers who aren’t getting the service they deserve. When I hear people say, my service invoice is always wrong and full of mystery charges, or their forklift rentals look like they came from the scrapyard and break down when I need them most - this really bothers me.

Your forklift dealership or service provider should be an asset to your business, not a source of frustration. Here are some other common issues operations put up with when they don't have to...

Forklift Service Contracts - Planned Vs. Full Maintenance

Downtime is one of the biggest expenses a company can face. In addition to the repair bill, you lose money every moment your supply chain is offline.

Sure, Toyota forklifts are rugged, reliable, and last 20,000 hours or more, but they do need periodic maintenance. Regular service and inspections help you catch small issues before they become big, expensive problems. A maintenance plan helps you:

    • Avoid downtime
    • Choose when your forklift goes offline for service - no surprises
    • Stick to your budget
    • Extend the life of your forklift
    • Prevent unexpected repair bills
    • Boost the resale value of your lift truck 
    • Get the most out of your forklift investment

Both full and planned maintenance can be financed along with your forklift purchase. Which one is right for you? Read on to learn more...

Forklift Safety Matters: 7 Questions to Ask Your Service Provider


One of the riskiest mistakes a company can make is choosing a forklift service provider without asking about their safety record. Incidents and subsequent investigations can lead to costly fines, downtime, damage to your reputation and increased insurance costs.

The worst time to find out your forklift service provider has a poor safety record is after an incident. Take a proactive approach to safety by asking a few simple questions about their safety record and service technician training.

If you’re hesitant to ask, don’t be. Responsible operations that follow OSHA’s record-keeping requirements will know their safety stats and be happy to share them with you.

Little Fixes That Prevent Big Problems


Sometimes it feels like breakdowns and major repairs can come out of nowhere and cause a big repair bill at the worst possible time. Although accidents are by definition unpredictable, there are many things you can do to protect your equipment and your budget. Good housekeeping, proper battery care and planned maintenance services are just a few ways that can help catch and prevent big, expensive breakdowns.

How Planned Maintenance Saves You Money


On average, the cost to repair a  forklift is four times higher than the cost to properly maintain the equipment in the first place. Just like a car, you need to have a certified technician check your lift every 150 hours at least.

By maintaining your asset, you can prevent expensive, unexpected repairs and avoid downtime. 
Equipment in good working order is also safer for employees, and a well-maintained lift truck commands a higher resale value. Learn more about planned maintenance (PM) from TMH:

2000-Hour Forklift Service Vs. Routine Maintenance

On a forklift, 2000 hours is equivalent to 60,000 miles on a car. Some customers believe the cost of a 2000-hour service is too high, or they don’t want to take the forklift down for a whole day. What they may not realize is the factory-recommend 2000-hour service is vital to keeping the forklift safe and operable and it improves resale value.

This service also prevents major components from failing prematurely which can be very costly. Additionally, if the unit is under warranty, the 2000-hour service keeps there warranty intact.

Learn more about what’s included in a 2000 hour IC forklift service versus a standard planned maintenance service.

1000 and 2000 Hour Forklift Service - Are They Necessary?

Customers sometimes ask, “do I really need to do the 1,000-hour or 2,000-hour service on my forklift?” It’s a fair question. The equipment is likely running great and taking it offline may seem like a waste of time and money.

There are a few reasons to do the manufacturer's recommended maintenance, not the least of which is OSHA’s requirement. Other reasons include: ensuring the lift is in safe operating condition and increasing the up time and longevity of your lift truck (or other material handling equipment).

Forklift Repair and Emergency Service

If your forklift breaks down:
First - move it to an isolated area (if possible) 
Next - get some basic details (make, model and serial number)
Then - call for service. We serve Northern California 24/7 at  (800) 539-2052)
24/7 Service

Additional details, like the machine's service history, can help the technician get to the root of the problem faster. Learn more about what to expect when you request mobile forklift repair.

Forklift Parts - Glossary and Buyers Guide

Whether you repair forklifts in-house or work with a dealership, it’s helpful to know the different parts of a forklift so you can effectively communicate with a maintenance technician. There are also a few pitfalls to avoid when buying forklift parts. We’ll share a few horror stories and explain what the customer could have done differently to avoid losing money.

Forklift Maintenance and Repair - When to Call a Professional

As a Product Support Rep (PSR) I hear a lot of horror stories from customers who try to maintain their own forklifts. Even worse: some customers just wait for something to break.

On average, the cost to repair a forklift is four times higher than the cost to properly maintain the equipment. Depending on the repair, the cost can be up to 15 times more expensive than what the customer would have spent on a service plan  once you factor in downtime.

I recently had a customer spend $35,000 on a five-year-old forklift, all because they didn’t maintain it correctly. They only called us for repairs and major failures. This truck moved heavy loads all day and never got more than an oil change.

Toyota Forklifts are built like a tank, but with lack of maintenance any forklift becomes a ticking time bomb. Every machine has its limits. In this post, we’ll talk about:

- what maintenance is okay to do yourself,
- when to call a professional
...and the real way to save money on maintenance and repairs.

4 Expensive Forklift Repairs and How to Prevent Them

Forklifts and other material handling equipment are rugged machines, built to work hard, but they’re not invincible. All too often we end up doing expensive repairs on equipment that could have been avoided had the machine been properly maintained.

Your equipment is an investment and proper maintenance will help you maximize its value. Many problems start out small; catch them early and avoid a big pain in your checkbook. Wait too long and it’s going to cost you: time, labor, and productivity.

But you can benefit from the mistakes of others. Below are a few recent examples - from real TMHNC customers - of four expensive repairs that could have been prevented.

Service Contracts for Your Forklift, Pallet Jack or Scissor Lift

Service agreements, also known as planned maintenance (PM) contracts are designed to:

  • Increase the life of equipment / maximize trade-in value
  • Decrease downtime and avoid unexpected repair costs
  • Streamline and set monthly operational expenses
  • Keep the operator and products safe from injury and damage
  • Maintain OSHA compliance

The cost of a maintenance plan for your forklift, sweeper-scrubber, aerial lift or pallet jack depends on how many hours the equipment operates each quarter. Over time, service plans can easily pay for themselves

At TMHNC we offer three full maintenance plans to accommodate all fleets and budgets. These plans include the needed services and parts and labor for repairs on normal wear and tear items. The silver and platinum are more inclusive to help take the customer out of the forklift repair business.

Forklift Repair: Easier Said Than Done

Looking for ways to bring down costs in your department? Managing the repair and maintenance costs of your forklift fleet is a good place to start. Below are some tips to help reach your goal.

Movember Maintenance Tips for Man and Machine

November, also known as “Movember” in homage to the moustache, is all about men’s health. Too many of us take better care of our vehicles than our own bodies. The same guys who’d never miss an oil change haven’t had their cholesterol checked in years.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than half of cancer deaths could be prevented through healthy choices and regular screenings. Your body is the most important piece of machinery you’ll ever own. So in honor of Movember, we’re going to take a quick look at maintenance tips for both man and machine.

Finding the Best Forklift Technician

Here are a few questions that come up on a regular basis that you may want to ask yourself:

  1. What type of training has he been through?  Is it current?
  2. Does he have the correct diagnostic tools to properly troubleshoot the issue?
  3. What type of technical support does he have locally?  
  4. How about from the manufacturer?
  5. Is he properly insured?

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