A damaged forklift can be a problem. Not only does it affect your working capabilities, but it also can create dangerous situations. Common ways that forklift damage can occur include:
- Crashes and accidents
- Dropping a load
- Overloading
- General wear and tear
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely protect your forklifts from damage, for our top 10 safety tips with forklifts, click here. Despite our amazing range of used forklifts having been built with extremely durable materials, you may be faced with damage to your forklift at some point. Here is what to do with a damaged forklift.
Decide whether to repair or replace
Depending on the damage it may be more worth your time and money to just completely replace your machinery. We have electric, gas and diesel powered forklifts in stock at amazing prices with great lifting capabilities.
If your forklift is overly damaged you may find it more cost-effective to simply buy a new one. Some repairs may be costly due to expensive parts and labour costs. However, if your forklift is only minorly damaged it may be worth taking it to a reputable, qualified forklift mechanic. There are mechanics all around the country, or you may have one in your workplace already.
Store it in a safe place until you can get it looked at
The absolute first thing you should do if you sustain forklift damage is to make sure that it is secure and in a safe space. Ensure that it will not be in a place that it could take on any more damage, and if necessary make sure that the wheels have been secured, especially if you have taken damage to the braking system.
Find a qualified forklift mechanic
Unless you have previously learned to become a forklift mechanic, your first stop if you have a damaged forklift would be to pay a visit to one. We do have ten tips on becoming a forklift mechanic that you may find useful if you are looking to pre-empt any forklift damage. Knowing how to fix your own machinery is useful, but repairs should only be undertaken if you have received appropriate training.
Often worksites will have a designated forklift mechanic on-site, they should be consulted about the damage sustained by a forklift before any further steps are taken. If they deem that the machinery is too badly damaged then you should begin to look at replacing it. However, if they feel that they can work on it and get it back to working order whilst remaining safe, this is a good option. There are of course external forklift mechanics that you can go to, but these can be pricey.
Do not try and continue to use damaged machinery
It is essential that once a forklift has become damaged you do not try to continue to use it. Even if the damage is minor, continuous use could make the damaged forklift even worse, increasing safety concerns and the potential cost of repairs. As previously mentioned you should make sure that you have stored away the damaged forklift correctly and safely so it can be checked. Do not drive a forklift that has been damaged to store it, remove any brakes and push it to where you want it to be.
If you would like to check out our range of used forklifts to replace a damaged forklift, check out our stock here. Alternatively, if you have any questions about forklift damage, get in touch with our friendly team today, we look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your concerns.