Whether you buy a new or used electric forklift, reach truck, orderpicker, walkie, turret truck or sideloader it will require battery power.  Those batteries can cost as much as $5,000 each.  Learn some basics about their maintenance and they will last much longer and your lift truck maintenance costs will be much lower.

Modern forklift batteries are designed for a cycle of charging, discharging and recharging of around 1,500 times.  Depending on the shifts you run, or your daily usage, this means your battery should last between three and five years.

• No matter the length of the charge your battery is one cycle closer to the end of its life. To maximize the life of your battery do not let the battery discharge more than 80%.    More than 80% and the battery temperature will increase dramatically which causes damage to the forklift components.
• Check the water level every five charges.  Running a battery dry will damage the forklift battery.  When refilling only use distilled water. Always water batteries after charging, but when they have cooled-down.  The old saying goes “Eight hours of use, eight hours of charge and eight hours of rest”.
• Properly maintain the battery fluid level.  Refill only to cover the plates.  Higher than that and the battery will boil-over.
• Carefully rinse off any fluid that boiled out of the battery.  Since it is both conductive and corrosive it will create unwanted heat and corrosion. When the battery boils over due to over-watering it knocks the acid balance out of the battery fluids, which will also make your electric forklift run hotter and reduce the battery’s charge.Overcharging, or charging too frequently, causes the trucks to generate hydrogen gas, often called “off gassing”, which destabilizes the acid/water mixture in the battery.
• Be sure to clean your batteries a few times a year to remove the corrosive acid build-up.  This will also help extend the life of your battery.
• Consider a smart charging system,  or a trickle charger, and an automatic watering system to take the guesswork out of maintaining your electric forklift battery.

Battery powered sideloaders are used to handle long loads efficiently through narrow doorways and aisles. A sideloader picks the long load from the side, lifts and retracts it onto the sideloader’s bed for transport. These trucks can handle loads of up to 4,000 pounds and reach as high as 25 feet in a 60″ aisle. These trucks are used most commonly in metal and lumber distribution warehouses with rail guidance and cantilever rack.

Introducing and administering new devices, software, and add-ons can tremendously improve the productivity and safety of your forklift fleet. Here are several new products that can help you upgrade your fleet:

Data Management

A new RFID hour meter, designed by OEM Data Delivery, is intended to be the lowest-cost wireless remote meter in the industry.

Glacier Computer has released two handheld computers designed for data collection in very harsh conditions.

Keytroller LLC introduces a new dual viceo drive recorder with DPS, designed to create driver accountability and video proof of accident liability. This device can potentially save a company millions of dollars by securing protection from false claims from forklift accidents.

Fleet Management

Bishop Lifting Products have constructed a 3.3 million-pound proof tester.This machine can proof test slings, crane blocks, spreader bars, oilfield equipment, and rigging gear.

Load Handling

Eagle West has released a four-person personnel basket. The platform geatures a removable rood with five lanyard connection points.

Crane Setup

Designed by Timco Inc, Timcogrip cribbing plates and outrigger pads provide wear and strength in this demanding application.

Via Lift and Access -> Here

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Courtesy of Fleetman Consulting and MMH