ls it time to replace your lift trucks?

ic life is evaluating its periodic maintenance program. Those trucks receiving regular maintenance attention operate more efficiently and last longer. Manufacturers estimate that periodic maintenance can extend a truck's economic life by 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

A change in material handling requirements may require new equipment attachments, new options or a larger lifting capacity. Sometimes acquiring a new truck is more cost effective than trying to retrofit old equipment.

Trucks might also be replaced when a warehouse expands. If the warehouse gains more square footage, the trucks will be required to travel greater distances. By increasing lift truck load capacity, the same amount of material can be handled in fewer trips.

internal combustion trucks' maintenance costs are at a steeper incline, while maintenance costs for electric trucks begin to skyrocket at about 12,000 to 14,000 hours. Major overhauls, major component replacement and frequent minor repairs tend to drive costs even higher.

Optimally, equipment should be replaced when maintenance costs exceed its resale value. Maintenance and operating costs increase each year, while the resale value of the equipment decreases.

"Sometimes a business will want to put $5,000 a year into repairing a lift truck only worth $2,000 to $4,000," said Hyster's Mike Hanson. "That's not very cost effective. If the repairs were made, the lift truck would still be worth only $2,000 to $4,000."

The application the lift truck faces also affects its life. Those exposed to temperature extremes, brine or corrosives will experience shorter economic lives. Meanwhile, lift trucks operating in clean warehouses with wide aisles should have longer lives.

The monthly use of a lift truck determines how long it can operate economically. Based on 170 hours per month (2,000 hours per year), the average internal combustion truck can operate economically for five to six years, the average electric truck for about seven years. If the trucks are run more than this each month, replacement time will be accelerated.

The ratio commonly used is that one engine hour equals 40 automotive miles. To make a comparison, multiply the number of hours of engine operation by 40. For example, assume a lift truck's hour meter reads 4.000 hours. The equivalent reading on an automobile's odometer will equal 160,000 miles.

Another consideration in determining a truck's econom-

When business activity increases, occasionally the current material handling equipment cannot keep up with demand. Rather than alienate customers with slow deliveries, companies may decide to acquire new attachments or entirely new trucks with increased capabilities and options. Today's internal combustion lift truck uses 7-107o less fuel and requires lo-l5%o less maintenance than a truck manufactured l0 years ago. Ergonomic design improvements can increase operator productivity. As a result, trucks can handle more materials faster, are more efficient and usually have less down time.

When evaluating the economic life of a fleet, a trusted, professional lift truck dealer can be a good consultant. However, it doesn't take a professional to realize that trucks past their economic limit should be used less and scheduled for replacement. The key is to learn your trucks' life spans and get rid of those that are not economically effective.

Yet only abott 20Vo of all lift truck owners have any type of a planned replacement program. "It seems to me that those who don't plan ahead for replacement are betting that their lift trucks will never break down." Hanson said. "And that's a gamble I wouldn't want to take."