Forklift Repair And Maintenance

Forklift Repair vs. Maintenance

The old saying holds true when it comes to heavy machinery as well: pay now or pay later. What does that mean? It means that you can choose to ignore the squeaky wheel and rusting frame of your lift for as long as you like-but when the repairman cometh, it won't be cheap. Or, you can schedule regular maintenance on your lift-many of the same maintenance items you would perform on a passenger car-and add years to the life of your lift. Regular maintenance like belts, filters, changing the oil, and inspecting the hydraulics means you won't have to start searching the "forklift for sale" ads again much sooner than you'd like.

Should You Use Aftermarket Parts?

If you're doing the repairs in-house, one dilemma many businesses run into is whether or not it's worth it to get OEM parts as opposed to aftermarket ones. The significantly higher cost of original manufacturer equipment (often more than twice as much) can make it tempting to choose a less-expensive alternative. But these parts can also be made from less durable materials, shortening the lifespan of the part-and that means that you'll be back out there looking for a replacement part much sooner than you'd like. A good solution is a take a middle road and consider what the part is used for. If it's an engine part that is difficult to get to and that takes a lot of abuse, it probably pays to get the OEM version. On the other hand, if it's a windshield wiper you're talking about, the aftermarket part is likely more than enough.

When Forklift Repair Is Too Expensive

Sometimes, after a vehicle has been put to many years of hard service, it may turn out to be more expensive to repair than to simply get a new one. In that case, the first thing you'll need to decide is whether to look at new or used forklifts. New lifts can run as much as $20,000 or $30,000, while used ones are almost as much. Keep in mind that if your business has more than one lift, it will make it much easier for the person in charge of forklift repair to have all the lifts be the same brand. For example, if you've got a Crown forklift at one site, a Toyota at another, and a Nissan lift at a third site, it can be hectic trying to locate parts for all three of the machines. On the other hand, if you've got a fleet of all Komatsu lifts, once you find a parts dealer you trust, you can simply use him for all your forklift repair needs.

Auto Repairs Should Be Done by Professionals

Most people, at some point in time have car trouble. It is a reality that many people dread having to deal with. They don't just dread this circumstance because of the inconvenience it causes, but this feeling is also the result of their seemingly limited financial supply. The last thing they want to do is spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars at an auto mechanic shop. Therefore, they try to go at it alone.

After attempting to fix the problem using their limited amount of expertise, they soon find themselves in worse shape then when they started out. They end up messing things up and creating even more issues. Besides the fact that they don't have the necessary skills, the average person also doesn't have the right tools to conduct auto repairs. On the other hand, professionals have everything they need at their disposal. Anything that they don't have readily available, they usually have the ability to get it.

There are also those who wouldn't think to try to fix their vehicle on their own. Instead, they go around shopping for the best deal they can find. They don't care if they use a professional mechanic or not. In their eyes, they are saving money. Little do they know, they may actually be putting themselves in a greater financial bind. Just because something costs less, doesn't mean it's always the better deal.

What if someone were to bring their car to the unlicensed neighborhood mechanic? They bring their car home and for about a week it seems to be working perfectly. However, they soon find that the work was done improperly and their car no longer runs the way it's supposed to. Unlike a professional shop, the unlicensed mechanic didn't offer them a warranty. Therefore, they are just out of luck and their money has basically been thrown down the drain. So, they are forced to go somewhere else and spend even more money. If they would have gone to a professional in the first place, they could have actually saved money.

Auto repairs should be done by specialists because it gives the customer a better chance of getting the quality results that they desire. Auto services usually have high quality workers, with years of background knowledge and experience. They have a proven track record, which allows the potential customer to know that they will be in good hands.

So, just because someone is offering a seemingly better deal, doesn't always mean they are the best option. Paying the price upfront for auto repairs is oftentimes the way to go. You may be concerned about the money that will be leaving your hands. However, those concerns will soon fade away as you realize that you came away with the results you were searching for.

Tips on How to Remove Car Window Decals Safely

Window decals for cars can be a great way to express your personal interests, show off your family or promote your business. But there may come a time when you want to remove or replace your decals.

Naturally you'll want to avoid the possibility of causing damage to your car's windows or paint in the process of removing car window decals. Here are some tips that may help!

First clean the sticker and the area surrounding it. Soaking the decal in vinegar or rubbing alcohol can also help make removing it easier.

Newer window decals for cars which haven't been in place for too long can be peeled off easily. But that's not always the case. The sticky side of window decals for cars have a weather proof adhesive.

Warm it up. Decals are easier to remove when they are warm so park the car out in the sun. If the weather is cool, bring the vehicle into the garage. It may be helpful to apply heat using a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Using a safety razor (for windows only, not paint) in a holder at a 45 degree angle to the glass, gently try to pry the edge of the decal off of the glass. Once you have the edge of the decal lifted you may be able to pull the decal off. If the decal is older it may be more brittle and tend to tear making it harder to remove.

If scraping doesn't work you can also try dental floss, held taught, to try to separate the decal from the window.

Once you have the decal off, there will most likely be some adhesive left on the window. Use adhesive remover to remove any remaining residue, following the directions on the label. It may take more than one application to do the job. Once most of it is removed spray a paper towel with the remover to eliminate what's left.

Clean the window with soap and water and/or glass cleaner. You do not want to risk leaving any of the solvent on your car's paint job.

If none of these methods for removing car window decals work, try using WD-40, which can be effective in removing decals that resist your other efforts. Spray the product on the decal and you should be able to peel it off easily. Be sure to remove any residue from the WD-40 right away.