Tag Archives: doosan

Average Lifespan of a Forklift

Forklifts, like any heavy machinery, are a pricey investment. You want to make sure you’ve chosen the right one and that you’re maintaining it correctly. Determine the age of your forklift, average lifespan of a forklift, and how to make your forklift last longer by reading this article.

 

How old is my forklift?

A forklift’s lifespan is measured by hours of use, not years, because every business utilizes their machines at different rates.

A five-year-old forklift that was utilized 15 hours a month will usually be in better shape than a one-year-old forklift that was used 8 hours every day.

The stress on a forklift’s mast from raising and lowering of equipment is what causes most machines to break down over time.

Buying a used forklift? Always inspect it for wear, even if it has low hours. Heavy loads can cause damage to a forklift, which won’t be reflected in the running hours.

 

How long should I expect my forklift to last?

The average lifespan of a forklift is 10,000 hours, but it varies based on the manufacturer, type of forklift, and average running conditions. It’s possible to have two forklifts, manufactured the same year, that have different life expectances.

Manufacturer

Brands like Doosan and Toyota typically have longer lifespans up to 15,000–20,000 hours.

Internal Combustion Engines vs Electric Forklifts

On average, you can expect an electric forklift to last longer. Electric forklifts’ batteries typically need to be replaced every five years, or approximately 1,500 charging cycles. However, since they have fewer moving parts, they are less likely to break over time.

Average Running Conditions

Regular heavy loads will shorten your forklift’s total run time, and exposure to extreme temperatures, uneven surfaces, and hazardous substances will cause significant wear. A truck used indoors in clean conditions will last a lot longer than one exposed to extreme conditions. If you have a fleet of forklifts, it’s a good idea to rotate them every few months so they wear at the same rate.

 

How can I extend my forklift’s lifespan?

Regular Maintenance

Preventative and regular maintenance are the key to a forklift’s survival. Always perform daily, routine checks, schedule preventative bi-annual maintenance, and get any issues checked up on immediately.

Most forklifts should be serviced every 200 hours and have extensive maintenance performed every 2,000 hours. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations to find out exactly when your forklift should be serviced.

Being proactive could help your forklift survive up to five years longer (based on daily use) than expected!

Yard and Warehouse Maintenance

Potholes, sharp turns, and other safety hazards can cause damage and uneven wear to your fleet. A safe environment can lead to less expensive repairs over time.

Staff Training

Several people are standing around a forklift learning how to use it.

Your operators have a huge effect on your forklift’s lifespan. Collisions and tip-overs are obvious causes of damage, but heavy braking, excessive speed, and skipping inspections will also cause your forklift to wear down quicker.

Need staff training? Contact us.

 

 

How do I know when my forklift needs to be replaced?

If a forklift is slowing down productivity by requiring downtime for repairs, it may become too expensive to maintain. Consider the lifespan of the forklift and how much it costs per hour to run.

 

Forklifts are an important part of your warehouse operations. Ensuring your forklifts are running at top efficiency can help them last for years.

Prefer to rent a forklift instead of purchasing? Contact us!

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2021. It was updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in January 2023. 

4 Ways Utility Services Can Help You This Summer

How Utility Services Can Help You This Summer

We are officially in the peak of summer: it’s hot, humid, and some of us are in the midst of hurricane season. Luckily, Hugg & Hall’s Utility Services division is here to help! They rent and sell portable power, power distribution, compressed air, and supplemental HVAC units.

 

 

 

Portable Power

Whether your team is dealing with power outages, natural disasters, or post-sundown work, we can provide the right generator to fit your needs. Hugg & Hall has portable and towable generators with gasoline and diesel options. We have light towers, cabling, and distribution boxes to keep your operation moving forward. 

 

 

Climate Control

To make your next event or jobsite more comfortable, you may need additional air conditioning. Our wide range of rental units produce minimal noise and have a compact carbon footprint.

Paired with our fleet of dehumidifiers and industrial fans, our climate control solutions can prevent condensation to keep materials dry and promote drying in flooded areas. 

 

 

Air Compressors

Hugg & Hall Utility Services has the best air compressors in the business available for rent! These tools are ideal for jobsites and sought-after in a wide range of industries. Towable or portable compressors provide the power for air tools, such as pavement breakers and chipping hammers. We also offer instrument-quality, filtered and cooled air compressors for specialized applications. 

 

 

 

Offshore Equipment

Take Hugg & Hall equipment on any offshore jobsite. All equipment undergoes an enhancement process to ensure long-lasting, offshore-proven durability. The fleet includes light towers, welders, air compressors, pipe threaders, and pumps.

Key components are coated to prevent corrosion and equipped with Coast Guard-approved fuel lines. Skid mounts have up-to-date certifications and are installed with static grounds and extra grounding in engine-driven equipment. All welding machines are load-bank tested, engine driven units are equipped with overspeed and rig air shutdown devices, and air compressors and volume tanks have up-to-date safety relief valve certifications.

 

For more information on what our Utility Services division can do for you, contact Spencer Hale or a sales representative!

 

Prepare your equipment, jobsites, and employees for warmer temperatures to help avoid injuries and downtime from work. Visit our blog to learn more summer safety tips!

 

Editor’s Note: We originally published this post in July 2021. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in February 2023.