Forklift Repair Survey Reveals Biggest Operator Complaints and What To Do About It.
Conger, located in the Midwest, analyzed 6,220 forklift repair service calls to determine what were the top issues. The original survey was conducted in 2019, but they recently updated the results which we are pleased to share with you.
#1 Leaks
Slip Hazards
37.59% of leaks came from hoses and tubing. The safety issue comes with fluid on the floor, which can result in slip and falls.
#2 Travel & Lift
Productivity & Safety at Risk
17.29% of forklift repair issues came from broken or corroded wiring.
Lift Attachments are a critical component of safe forklit operation.
#3 Horns, Lights & Travel Alarms
Critical for Pedestrian Safety
Dirty or worn components or malfunctioning lights/alarms account for 59.63% of the problems. OSHA requires forklifts to have a working horn. This is a perfect opportunity to explore preventing accidents with SIERA’s Forklift Safety System.
Safety lights are a must for pedestrian warnings.
#4 No Start
Regular Battery Health Checks are Must
Dead battery and fuel system failure/leaking make up 31% of the problem.
#5 Battery
Charge and Water Batteries Regularly
Dead battery is the most common cause of problems at 43%.
#6 Forklift Running Rough
Operator Discomfort Hurts Productivity
Fuel system yet again with leaking or dirty issues come in at 50%.
#7 Check Engine Light
Conduct Scheduled Inspections
Bad electrical components are most common with 21.57% of the forklift repair problems reported.
#8 Electrical Problems
Electrical Problems Can Quickly Escalate to Safety Hazards
Bad switches make up 28% of the problem. If the unit is affected, this can easily become a safety issue.
#9 Seats & Seat Belts
Seat Belts Boost Operator Safety
Worn or damaged seat / seat belt make up 72% of the complaints. Seat belts help protect the operator from harm. The SIERA Safety System S3 can be the first line of defense against operator, pedestrian injury or product, facility damage.
#10 Cooling System
Check Radiators Often
Clogged or worn radiator was the leading cause of the problems at 31.58%.
The best way to stay on top of all 10 related forklift repair problems is to conduct a daily forklift inspection. We know its cumbersome to do, and it takes time to fill out the form. What if you have the questions shown to you and all you have to do is tap the screen to say yes or no? The fleet manager would get the report and stay on top of all 10 issues.