A warehouse can be very dependent on the forklifts, and this is why they need to be kept in good working order at all times. It is also why you want to make sure you are staying on top of their regular care and any repairs they need. However, you will also want to know when the best time is to replace them with new forklifts. If you replace them too soon, then you are wasting money for no good reason. However, if you wait too long, then you are spending money on repairs that aren't worth it because the repairs will only give you a short amount of usage out of a forklift that's on its way out anyway. Plus, you will be taking the chance of having the forklift ending up out of commission right when it is needed the most, and this can cause a lot of problems down the line for your warehouse. Here is more on replacing your current forklifts with new ones: 

Keep a log of the hours each forklift has on it

One of the things that should be done in the warehouse is to make sure all of the time spent on each forklift is noted and tracked. You want to make sure you realize when each of the forklifts is due for service, and you want to know when they are nearing the point where you should replace them. 

When the time comes where they have many hours on them, you may want to replace them before you end up running them in the ground and they start giving you problems. When you have a forklift that suddenly stops working correctly, you can end up with work piling up and problems with customers when you are late on filling orders. 

Watch for worn forks and chains

Two of the important parts of the forklifts for you to be sure you check regularly are the forks and the chains. The forks will be put under regular stress and they need to be in good condition. If you notice excessive wear or especially if you start to see any cracks, then you want to start the process of replacing that forklift with a new one. 

Also, the chains will endure a lot of wear and tear on a regular basis, and this is why you need to watch for too much stretching in the chain. The technician who services the forklifts will actually measure the chain, and when they let you know that it may be time to replace the forklift, it's best for you to do so as soon as possible.

For more information about new forklifts, contact a local dealer, like Lift Solutions, Inc.