Forklift “age” is measured in hours. For a single-shift operation with an 8-hour work day, the average forklift runs 2,000 hours/ year.
The average lifespan of a forklift is 10,000 hours, but this depends on the manufacturer. Above-average machines, such as TASK, SUMI, Toyota and even Crown forklifts, commonly last more than 20,000 hours.
Other factors that contribute to more rapid “aging” include:
Cold temperatures
Lifting heaving stacks
Used for multiple shifts / day
How well the forklift was well-maintained
A forklift used mostly indoors in clean conditions will last a lot longer than one exposed to extreme temperatures or heavy loads. If you have multiple indoor / outdoor trucks in your fleet, consider rotating them every few months, so the vehicles wear at the same rate.
Another factor in the lifespan of a lift truck is whether it’s electric or uses an internal combustion engine (IC). Generally speaking, electric forklifts last longer than IC forklifts, mainly because electric forklifts have fewer moving parts.
The main component that requires changing in an Electric Forklift, is the Battery. A battery on an electric forklift lasts approximately 1,500 charging cycles, or roughly 5-7 years.
Well-Maintained Equipment Lasts Longer
One of the most important factors to ensuring equipment has a long, healthy life is proactive maintenance. Unexpected, preventable repairs send your cost per hour of operation through the roof and can cause severe downtime.
Forklifts on a planned maintenance schedule operate more efficiently and last longer. How often does your forklift need maintenance? Find out in our other news article!
