Should You Repair or Replace an Older Forklift?

Every forklift eventually reaches a point where another repair may no longer be the best investment. While properly maintained forklifts can provide many years of dependable service, increasing repair costs, frequent breakdowns, and lost productivity can make replacement the smarter financial decision.

So, how do you know when it’s time to repair, replace, or trade in your forklift?

Consider the Age and Operating Hours

Age alone doesn’t determine whether a forklift should be replaced. A well-maintained forklift with higher hours may still have plenty of useful life remaining, while a lower-hour machine operating in a demanding environment may experience considerably more wear.

Look at the forklift’s operating hours, application, maintenance history, and overall condition. Equipment used in multi-shift operations, outdoor environments, freezer applications, or demanding manufacturing facilities will generally experience more wear than a forklift used only a few hours per week.

Look at Your Repair History

An occasional repair is a normal part of owning material handling equipment. The concern begins when repairs become increasingly frequent or expensive.

If you’re regularly replacing hydraulic components, electrical parts, brakes, steering components, mast components, or dealing with engine or transmission problems, it may be time to calculate how much you’re actually spending to keep the forklift operating.

Before approving a major repair, compare the repair cost to the current value of the forklift and what it would cost to replace it.

Don’t Forget the Cost of Downtime

Repair invoices aren’t the only expense associated with an unreliable forklift.

When a forklift breaks down, employees may be unable to move products, load trucks, receive shipments, or complete production tasks. You may also need an emergency rental while the equipment is being repaired.

These indirect costs can sometimes exceed the cost of the actual repair.

A newer, more reliable forklift can help reduce unexpected downtime and make maintenance expenses much more predictable.

Consider Safety and Operator Comfort

Older forklifts may lack some of the safety features, ergonomics, visibility, controls, and technology available on newer equipment.

Worn steering components, brakes, tires, chains, forks, hydraulics, and other components can also create safety concerns if they aren’t properly maintained.

Replacing an aging forklift can provide an opportunity to improve operator comfort, visibility, efficiency, and overall workplace safety.

Could a New Forklift Reduce Operating Costs?

Newer forklifts can also provide significant operating advantages.

Modern electric and lithium-ion forklifts can reduce routine maintenance requirements while eliminating many of the maintenance tasks associated with traditional internal combustion or lead-acid equipment.

For businesses operating forklifts regularly, lower maintenance costs, improved energy efficiency, reduced downtime, and increased productivity can help offset the cost of purchasing newer equipment.

Repair, Replace or Trade-In?

There’s no single answer that’s right for every forklift.

If the machine remains reliable and the repair is relatively minor, repairing it may be the most economical choice. However, if you’re facing a major repair on a forklift that already has high hours, frequent breakdowns, or significant wear, putting additional money into the machine may only postpone the inevitable.

That’s when it’s worth comparing your options.

At NovaLift Equipment Inc., we can evaluate your existing forklift and help you determine whether it makes more sense to repair it, replace it, trade it in, or temporarily rent another forklift.

As an Authorized HELI Forklift Dealer, NovaLift offers a complete selection of new HELI electric, lithium-ion, propane, and diesel forklifts, along with quality used equipment, trade-in options, financing, and short- or long-term forklift rentals.

We also provide forklift repairs, preventative maintenance, parts, inspections, and mobile forklift service for HELI, Toyota, Crown, Raymond, Yale, Hyster, CAT, Mitsubishi, Doosan, Clark, UniCarriers, and most other major forklift brands.

Serving businesses throughout Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Concord, and the Greater Toronto Area, NovaLift Equipment provides the equipment and support needed to keep your operation moving.

Facing another expensive forklift repair? Contact NovaLift Equipment Inc. for an honest assessment of your equipment and let us help you determine whether repairing or replacing your forklift makes the most financial sense.

Get a Custom Quote Today

Ready to get moving? Contact us today or call 416-661-6262 for a fast, no-obligation quote.

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Contact NovaLift Equipment today to learn more about all our forklift services.

We also provide forklift training for crews in Toronto and across the GTA.

 

Contact us today to learn more about our material-handling products and services.