Forklifts are an essential piece of equipment used in many industries, so when they malfunction, they can be hugely disruptive and costly for a business. Having a forklift servicing contract in place for your fleet, therefore, makes good sense – and here’s why.
Forklift servicing is a great way to ensure a reliable fleet
Forklift servicing is crucial to ensure that your fleet works optimally, reducing the risk of breakdowns and other problems that could take them out of action. By organising a forklift servicing contract with a professional provider, you can benefit from their skills and expertise, giving you peace of mind that your vehicles are in safe and reliable hands. Importantly, the contractor might spot problems with a forklift that you may not have noticed yourself.
Leaving your fleet to be serviced by a contract provider means you can focus on other aspects of your business, without the worry of having to manage this task yourself.
Convenient and cost-saving
Getting your fleet of forklifts serviced as part of a contract means that your vehicles will be regularly inspected and any problems diagnosed and repaired before they turn into bigger, more expensive issues. This can save you money in the long run and can reduce the risk of any inconvenient and costly downtime to your operations from forklifts that experience undiagnosed problems that may have been left to fester.
If you have a tight budget to stick to, there’s nothing worse than unexpected expenses that crop up. Keeping your equipment in good condition, especially if the forklifts get used a lot, through regular contract servicing can prevent you from having to dig deeper into the coffers when things go wrong.
Safety isn’t compromised
If you’re running a busy business, getting your forklift fleet might slip your mind, when you’ve got lots of other things to focus on. But, with a forklift servicing contract in place, the provider will send you a reminder when a servicing is due, so that your vehicles can be conveniently inspected at a time that suits you the best. Making sure that forklifts are regularly serviced is an important part of health and safety procedures, as worn or damaged components could be dangerous, potentially putting the lives of the operator and those in close contact with the vehicle at risk.
Manufacturer’s guidance
A forklift manufacturer will recommend how often a forklift will need servicing, such as after a set number of hours. However, servicing may be required sooner if the vehicle is used on rough terrain or outdoor conditions that may exacerbate wear and tear. If the forklift is under a warranty, there might be stipulations in the terms and conditions that state the vehicle needs servicing after a specific period to ensure the guarantee is upheld.
Having a forklift servicing contract in place ensures that the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines are being adhered to.
Increase forklift longevity
Putting your trust in the professionals to take good care of your forklift trucks through regularly servicing them can help to extend the life of the vehicles. If you intend to sell any forklifts in the future, you’ll also get the highest resale value if they are in the best condition possible from being frequently serviced.
Works in tandem with owner inspections
There are many components on a forklift, so when it comes to checking that everything is in good working order, there are a lot of aspects to take into account.
Forklifts should be given a brief inspection by the owner or operator each time the vehicle is used, but having a servicing contract in place means that a fuller, more rigorous inspection can be carried out periodically, to work in tandem with the user inspections that take place.
Want to find out more about how we can help you with regular forklift servicing? Get in touch with our team today.