Essential Maintenance Tips - Forklifts and Lift Trucks

No matter the application or industry, here are several essential maintenance tips that will help keep your lift trucks and forklifts in peak operating condition:

1.      Proper Lubrication – be sure to adequately lubricate all wearable components – basically all of the parts regularly exposed to heat and friction (such as bushings and bearings). Without proper lubrication, these components are susceptible to excessive wear, ultimately leading to premature failure and replacement.

2.      Maintain Fluid Levels – similar to lubrication, fluids such as engine oil and transmission fluid help to disperse heat resulting from friction, thereby prolonging the longevity of essential parts and components. Forklifts without adequate fluid levels are far more likely to experience the premature wear and replacement of parts, components and seals.

3.      Loose Connections and Fittings – depending on the location, a loose connection of fitting may result in fluid loss, excessive vibration, and short circuits. To avoid these issues – and the damage they cause – regularly inspect and tighten all hardware and connections on the forklift or lift truck.

4.      Chains and castor adjustments: Lift chains stretch during normal use and castor assemblies are critical to ride stability. Proper lift chain adjustment may prevent fork replacements and mast repairs. Poorly adjusted castors can cause premature load wheel wear.

For those that do not have the personnel or resources to properly maintain their forklifts or lift trucks, Lucas Liftruck Services Ltd. offers an excellent Planned Maintenance Program. With a PMP in place, Lucas will take the guess work out of your maintenance schedule as our expert technicians keep your forklifts in peak operating condition. Contact Lucas today at 905-227-3291 or email us at info@lucasliftruck.com. 

The Case for Short-term Forklift Rentals

Short-term rentals have become more and more popular for businesses that do not require full-time access to a forklift or when a business wants to capitalize on a temporary increase in demand or an excellent sales quarter. In these instances, it makes a lot of financial sense to rent lift equipment on a short-term basis. But when else should you think about renting a forklift?

Other situations include:
    1) When unexpected needs arise and require material handling equipment on limited notice.
    2) If you are in a seasonal sales cycle and need additional equipment to handle increased demand.
    3) When you do not want to maintain unused equipment during the off-season or off-peak periods.
    4) When your equipment is unavailable due to damage or repairs.
    5) When you need to handle/transport an atypical load or product.
    6) When you must maintain productivity under tight budget constraints.

At Lucas, we are currently offering great rental and leasing rates on our fleet of late model forklifts and lift trucks as part of our spring promotional spotlight. For more information, please visit our website or call us at 905-227-3291.

About Forklift and Lift Equipment Rentals. Why Renting Makes Sense.

The number one reason to rent your materials handling equipment is that it enables you to use forklifts and lift trucks without laying down the capital, which means upfront or loan costs with interest rates are not a consideration.

Budgeting for the future with fixed costs every month without any unexpected maintenance costs are also huge benefits to renting your forklifts; as all maintenance is covered by the dealer’s rental agreement.

Key Performance Indicators and fleet utilization reports are managed by the dealer, reducing your administration costs while freeing up staff to concentrate on your business.

Renting forklifts will ensure that you always have the most up-to-date equipment and technology. When your equipment ages or your renting terms end your old forklifts are replaced with new ones.

No down time is another big benefit to renting your equipment. If one of the units stops working, your dealer will be able to replace it, providing immediate relief.

Ready to rent? Consider these points before moving forward.

Research dealers to ensure all your applications are met by their equipment selection and that they offer to visit your facility and assess your needs before suggesting product.

Ensure that your dealer has a qualified trainer to offer the option of forklift training to your employees who will be operating the piece of rental equipment.

Lucas Liftruck offers the best forklifts in the Niagara Falls regions reaching Hamilton, Brantford, Oakville,St. Catharines and surrounding areas.

Forklift Operator Training for the Niagara Region and the Golden Horseshoe

In recent years the Ministry of Labour has implemented more stringent regulations and safety requirements relating to forklift training and operation. Many companies are recognizing the significance of safety programs and appropriate training for their forklift operators. 

The Lucas Liftruck Forklift Operator Safety Awareness training courses are facilitated by certified trainers with over 20 years of experience. They strive to make each course an interactive experience for both new and experienced operators, drawing from experience to encourage open discussion. 

Forklifts are heavy pieces of equipment with many particulars in operating them safely; they should be treated with respect by the operator, and all others coming in close proximity.  

If driven by an untrained operator or in an unsafe manner a lift truck can cause extensive damage to buildings, racking, cargo, or worst of all - can cause injury or death to operators or other workers.

Forklift safety applies to ALL lift trucks from manual pallet operators to electric pallet trucks, stacker trucks, order pickers, reach trucks, counter-balance trucks, electric forklifts and heavy-duty forklifts. If you operate a lifting device, you need to understand the safety aspects, for your own safety, the safety of others and your company's peace of mind.

Course Content Includes:

All Forklift Training Requirements under Current Legislation - OHSA/CSA Standard B335-04

Principles of Counter-Balanced Lift Truck Operation

Identifying Vehicle and Operator Hazards in Your Workplace

Lift Truck Stability & the Stability Triangle

Safe Operation & Tip-Over Procedures

Battery & Propane Procedures & Hazards

Ministry Of Labor Guideline Overview

Knowledge Verification Quiz

If you're in the Niagara or Golden Horseshoe region, please call to inquire about our Forklift Safety courses in your area. 905-227-3291 Or visit http://www.lucasliftruck.com/training/Training-Corporate-Groups-Niagara.php

Find your full service forklift dealer easier with our mobile app!

Now, rather than trying to navigate a whole website while on your phone, Lucas Liftruck has developed an app for all of your material handling needs. Just type our web address into your smartphone (www.lucasliftruck.com), as you normally would, and presto! - a mobile friendly materials handling site for the golden horseshoe.

Most of the information contained on our website is available for immediate access wherever you may be: In the shop and realize one of your trucks are down? Pop on the Lucas app and make arrangements right away for service. Suddenly need a part while loading a trailer? The Lucas Liftruck web app is instantly available from your mobile phone. No need to rush into the office to make arrangements. Read the part number on scene to your lucas' contact or type it into our form. It's all just a click away.

Our new mobile app will simplify your life; from making rental or purchase decisions to managing your fleet maintenance.

The quality customer service you've always known us for drives us to be the best in the business, and the best stay current with service trends. This app is just another opportunity to serve you better!

New forklift website offers better user experience to Niagara region

LucasLiftruck; a company rooted in the Niagara community for over 75 years and in the Lucas family two generations, has a new website. Not unlike how industry built up around their small but determined garage in the 40’s and 50’s, Lucas expects to see increased interest through improved navigation and SEO efforts with their latest website property.

“Supplying and serving the Niagara and Hamilton regions’ material handling needs through quality products, people and services has been our pleasure.” Explains Ted Lucas, Owner, “Now we've designed a new, user friendly version of our website to make it easier for our current and prospective clients to find exactly what they’re looking for online.”

The simple and attractive layout highlights the brands Lucas carries with links to each for more information. The top menu offers the most commonly searched for pages creating a more intuitive experience for the user, while each page features a call to action; allowing visitors to effortlessly contact a material handling professional for anything from forklift parts, financing, forklift rentals, accessories, operator training classes, lift truck sales and the company blog. The right end of the top banner rotates through an assortment of available product, to offer a quick visual of the selection Lucas Liftruck offers its customers.

The Authorized Stärke Dealer banner allows visitors to recognize that Lucas Liftruck only represents the very best in material handling equipment, and can rest easy when purchasing products or services through our full-service dealership.

LucasLiftruck has been a partner in the Niagara region since 1939, and they expect to be here another 75 years; serving the community where they were established and have grown alongside. 

Do you know the name of your forklift mechanic?

If so, we need to talk. 

Lucas Liftruck Services has the expertise, experience and infrastructure to get it done right, the first time. Lucas Liftruck Service won’t gouge your bottom line with band aid solutions that require several follow up appointments. So whether you remember their name or not, you’ll definitely appreciate their integrity, and the professional service that your equipment received.

Lucas’ job isn't done once we leave your facility. We are also working behind the scenes maintaining the proper infrastructure to support you.

• Detail computerized cost repair records to aid you in asset replacement decision making.
• A huge parts department and fully stock service vans to get your equipment back in action quickly.
• A large fleet of rentals for seasonal or peak business times.
• Complete forklift operator certification / training services to keep you in compliance with OHSA & CSA B335 requirements.
• A large selection of new & used forklifts in-stock for quick delivery.
• Centrally located with mobile service vans to service the entire Niagara Peninsula and Hamilton Ontario area.

Our quality is in our people. Forklift Sales | Forklift Service | Forklift Parts | Forklift Training