The only thing worse than your forklift breaking down right when you need it is thinking about how much it’s going to cost to fix it.
Repairing a broken forklift is important to maintain safety standards, but fixing a lift as soon as possible can save you money too.
A hidden forklift cost is the money you lose when the machine is out of commission. That lost productivity can cost you just as much as the repairs!
Here is a breakdown of common forklift repair costs and how to minimize them.
Replacing Parts
The most obvious cost of repairing a forklift is the cost of replacing broken parts. Repairs to the engine or the mast will be more expensive and time-consuming than replacing simpler parts. New tires or a new seat will be easier to replace.
The best way to keep costs down over the life of the forklift is to use good quality parts that will last a long time. Paying for unexpected forklift repair costs every month to replace cheap parts adds up quickly.
The True Labor Costs
The labor costs of repairing a forklift are twofold. First, if you aren’t able to repair your own forklift you’ll need to pay someone else to do it.
A certified, trusted repairman will keep costs down by making repairs that will last. An experienced repairman can also get the job done quickly.
Second, you lose money for all the time the lift is out of commission. Losing a piece of equipment slows down your workflows and could harm your business. The faster your lift is back in action, the more money you’ll save.
Maintenance to Help Avoid Future Repairs
The best way to avoid enormous forklift repair costs is to perform regular maintenance. Forklifts do tough work and absorb a lot of pressure during regular use, so they need regular upkeep.
Change the oil regularly, check the tire pressure before every use, and replace brake pads when they start to show wear. These tasks will keep the lift in good working order and save you money in the long run.
For simple repairs, you may be able to order the parts from a reputable maintenance company and do the repair in-house.
Forklift Cost: Repair vs Replace
No matter how well maintained your machine is, there will come a time when replacing a forklift is cheaper than repairing it. If the cost of the repairs is higher than the value of the lift, it may be time for a new one.
Logging the maintenance costs will give you a good idea of how much it costs to keep an older lift running. The upfront cost of a new lift could be lower than a year’s worth of repairs on an old one.
Get Trusted Parts and Service
Whatever your forklift repair needs, we are ready to help you. We have skilled technicians available and a wide variety of parts in stock. We don’t want forklift cost to get in the way of excellence, so we keep our prices competitive.
Contact us today to get started!