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.

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.

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...

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.

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:

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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?