Tag Archives: Toyota

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. 

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Members of the Hugg & Hall Baton Rouge, LA branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

In order to comply with the stringent requirements that Toyota expects of their dealers, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall) is implementing some changes to their aesthetic and parts and service processes. 

What is ASEC?

Toyota requires that their dealers abide by the After Sales Service Evaluation & Certification (ASEC) program. ASEC is Toyota’s method of promoting their organizational philosophy of kaizen. Kaizen is a philosophy which encourages continuous improvement, in small steps, throughout all members of an organization. 

The ASEC program promotes Toyota’s goal of providing improved operational quality and excellent customer service through accuracy, caring, and trust, throughout their entire dealer network. ASEC is a method of differentiating Toyota from competitors by expecting their dealers to consistently deliver high-quality service and steady operational procedures that align with Toyota’s standards. 

How has Hugg & Hall implemented ASEC?

Tracey Gibbs, Corporate Parts Manager at Hugg & Hall, spoke on some of the changes the company is implementing and why they are important to the entire organization. 

“In 2019, Hugg & Hall implemented the ASEC program in Oklahoma City and El Dorado,” said Gibbs. “Our Springdale branch was certified in October of that same year. The Fort Smith branch was certified in August of 2021, and our Baton Rouge branch was certified in January 2023.

“ASEC has given us a whole new culture that puts us at a higher level of professionalism. From our parts warehouses, to our service shops, to our facilities, we have become more organized, productive, and efficient. We have done it all in service of our customers.”

Many of the changes involve shop and warehouse organization to meet ASEC standards. See examples below: 

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Hugg & Hall is proud to have met the high standards of Toyota in five of their branches and looks forward to successfully attaining ASEC certification at more branches in the future. 

Members of the Hugg & Hall OKC branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification

Members of the Hugg & Hall Oklahoma City branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

Members of the Hugg & Hall Fort Smith branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

 How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Members of the Hugg & Hall El Dorado, AR branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

Members of the Hugg & Hall Springdale, AR branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

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

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The Electric Push | Transforming the Construction Industry

With the never-ending push to improve our carbon footprint, more and more companies are beginning to offer electric equipment options into their fleets. Electric equipment reserves the same power diesel-powered machines provide with the added benefits of zero emissions, less noise, and cleaner job sites. Companies such as Toyota, JCB, Genie, and more are coming into this new-age era. Below are just a few of the electric machines Hugg & Hall has to offer.

Toyota

Toyota has recently launched a new line of electric forklifts. These forklifts provide clean, emission-free workspaces and are ideally used for indoor projects and warehouses. With five models on their product line, you are sure to find what works best for you.

  • 3-wheel Electric Forklift
    • Ideal for narrow aisles and tight spaces.
  • Core Electric Forklift
    • Compact four-wheel electric lift capable of moving any standard size load while still being able to operate in spaces as small as 11 feet wide.
  • Large Electric Forklift 
    • Capable of lifting 12,000 lbs.
  • Stand-Up Rider Forklift
    • Dock-to-Stock capabilities and ideal for navigating narrow aisles.
  • Electric Pneumatic Forklift
    • Designed for indoor and outdoor applications.

JCB

19C-1E is the first fully electric mini excavator and the first E-TECH machine JCB offers in North America. These machines are ideally suited for construction and excavation operations within enclosed or urban job sites, noise and emission sensitive areas such as hospitals or schools. These machines produce zero exhaust and one-fifth the noise. An on-board charger with standard domestic 110V input for 12-hour recharging. Three lithium-ion batteries create enough power to get through a typical workday on a single charge.

GENIE

Genie has recently released the Z-60 FE fuel-electric, and the Z-60 All Electric articulating boom lift. These machines are ideal for outdoor and indoor operations that require low noise and clean performance. These areas include construction sites, sports arenas, facilities, and challenging pedestrian areas. The Genie boom lifts feature a 135-degree range of motion, allowing workers to quickly and accurately position themselves while the 4WD and full-time active oscillating axles provide traction for gradeability up to 45%. 

 

WACKER NEUSON 

These are cordless, battery powered rammers that are ideal for indoor construction and renovation projects, for use in poorly ventilated areas and sound sensitive areas. Easy to operate with a quick push-button start, the battery is separate from the rammers and can be replaced without any special tools. Wacker Neuson offers two electric models of their Wacker Packer, the AS50e and AS60e. 

 

NIFTY LIFT

The award-winning self-propelled SP50N boom lift can lift two people plus their tools to a platform height of 49ft 6in or a working outreach of 32ft. A 180-degree rotating cage and jib-boom paired with fully proportional multi0function controls deliver remarkable precision when positioning. The SP50N offers two power options, super-efficient battery power or second-generation hybrid power system. These lifts are ideal for indoor use, or a clean, quite operation.

SKYJACK

The Skyjack scissor lift is known for being an industry leader for over a decade. Skyjack lifts are ideal for indoor work. With Skyjack’s color coded and numbered wiring system, these machines are easy to trouble shoot and repair.

 

Hugg & Hall Parts Professionals Attend Gold Level Certification Training at Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Indiana

Hugg & Hall Parts Professionals Attend Gold Level Certification Training at Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Indiana

Michael Cooper (second from left), Josh Napier (second from right)

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall) parts professionals, Michael Cooper and Josh Napier, recently attended training at the Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, Ind. Cooper and Napier trained for Gold Level certification in Toyota parts. There are three levels of parts certification: Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

“On the Gold Level, we took a tour of the manufacturing floor and learned how that process works in coordination with the parts process and how each use a lot of the same thought processes,” said Cooper, who is a member of the Little Rock parts team. “We toured the parts warehouse and saw everything from the customer service people to how efficient the warehouse and shipping departments are. Also, how to incorporate some of their processes into what we do on a local level every day. And, about how to work better with customers one-on-one and help them understand the value of what Toyota has to offer.”

Napier, who works at the Fort Smith branch in the parts team, expressed gratitude to Hugg & Hall for the opportunity to attend the out-of-state event. 

“I am privileged to work for a company that is willing to send its employees to this type of training,” said Napier. “The experience was amazing and seeing how Toyota does their process was great.” 

The training also consisted of studying Toyota’s definition of value which pertains to the idea that customers will be willing to pay more for a part or service if they believe the quality is worth the extra expense. They also studied Toyota’s dictum of “Kaizen,” which urges the notion of continuous improvement in small steps that eventually manifest into big, positive changes.

Quality is the hallmark of the Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including the Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, which was named a 2011 North American Best Plant by IndustryWeek Magazine and is a member of the National Safety Council. Toyota’s commitment to excellence in customer service extends throughout the United States and Canada. With more than 70 authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers and more than 220 dealership locations throughout North America, Toyota dealers offer comprehensive customer service and support, including one-stop shopping for both new and used lift trucks, rentals, parts and service, fleet servicing and financing.

Hugg & Hall would like to thank Cooper and Napier for their hard work and their dedication to continuous improvement!

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper Award