By Henry Richardson
“All forklifts are alike and I know what I need.” The words that can make a lift truck professional cringe as they know in the end it could spell disaster.
No two applications are alike, even in similar industries. Many times small specification changes can make a difference in operations which affect turn-around time and operating cost.
Forklifts can be expensive and if not equipped for the application will reduce efficiencies and profits. If you are going to spend the money why not get a machine that will insure safety, handle your product(s) in an efficient manner, and increase production.
An Application Survey, usually a free service, where a Lift Truck Professional will walk the path of the forklift and confirm load weights and dimensions along with many variables including short and long term needs will insure you get the right equipment for the job.
Even if replacing an existing machine it pays to review the application and get operator input. Applications change and there are many advancements and options that can have a positive impact while some, I might add, are just fancy fluff that may create problems rather than solve them. If it does not have an ROI you probably don’t need it.
Knowing what is available and would be beneficial in an operation is what a Lift Truck Professional does. I have been in many customer plants where what they manufacture and how they do it is truly amazing and a credit to their profession. A Lift Truck Professional can enhance their operation with the right equipment and finance package when applicable.
Here is the kicker, there are a lot of good forklifts and companies out there selling various brands. The trick is to find one that can actually support the product and keep your equipment serviced and repaired when needed. Just because a dealer sells a particular brand of forklift does not mean they have qualified technicians. They might be nice people but can they respond and repair in a timely and cost-effective manner?
The forklift world is filled with “parts changers”, mechanics who keep adding parts until they find one that fixes the problem. There are Technicians however who understand hydraulics, electronics, and mechanics that can diagnose the problem, install the right part, and get the equipment back to work in a timely manner.
Several forklift manufacturers recognizing the support issue have added proprietary diagnostic systems that will tell what the problem partis. The issue comes when it cannot diagnose a problem and the dealer’s mechanic only knows how to fix what the computer tells him is broken. You are without a forklift, your operator is standing around, your customers do not understand why they can’t get their orders, and it all goes downhill into a big snowball from there. Don’t buy another forklift because it “can’t be fixed”. Find a real Technician.
There are often cases where a customer will wind up with a particular brand bought by corporate purchasing but the local dealer has poor service. You can find a local service company that can keep you going. You may need to get the access codes from the manufacturer, which you are entitled to, to share with the service company.
Consider warranty but more importantly remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I have seen manufacturers offer double the warranty and not make good on it to the dealership, leaving them holding the bag. Eventually the dealer, no matter how big they are, can wind up passing the bag to you. Too many times things are labeled “abuse” when it was not.
Thus the Forklift Mystery unfolds….
Have a professional, or two, review your operation and the application you intend to use the forklift in.
Ask the right questions (note: some salesmen will say anything to get an order), get references and referrals and contact them. Make sure you have a safety net with a company that can provide the product support necessary to keep your equipment going, cost-effectively.
Even if you have a forklift dealership you are dealing with it does not hurt to get competitive bids to see what is out there and make sure you are not being taken advantage of which can happen.
As a rule, you need to start this search six (6) months ahead of the planned acquisition as it will take 3-4 months to get a machine tailored to your specific needs, some times longer depending on several factors.
If you find yourself in a crisis management situation rather than buying a machine you will have for around five (5) years on average that does not meet all of your needs consider renting a forklift until you can get the right equipment for your operations. You can usually negotiate a better rental rate with an order for a new machine and 3-4 month rental. The rental may be a generic equipped unit and not have what you order but it will be a stop-gap until you can get the right equipment.
Getting the right equipment will help insure safety, increase operator production, and reduced product damage thus enhancing your bottom line.
Henry W. Richardson is the Vice President of Marketing at Southland Equipment Service, Inc., www.SouthlandSC.com, and a 43 Year Forklift Industry Veteran with a history of reducing operating cost and increasing production in a variety of operations ranging from normal to demanding. You can contact him by e-mail at Sales@SouthlandSC.com.