Combilifts Combi-CS wins International Award - Radnes Services

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Radnes Services!

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A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our customers, old and new, that we’ve worked with at Radnes Services. 

2022 has been a challenging year for so many, but we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your business and for the chance to work with you and support your businesses this year. 

From forklift sales and hire, to servicing and maintenance, we’ve worked with so many companies this year to keep their fleets running and their businesses moving. We take our commitment to our customers seriously, and work hard to ensure that we are delivering for you. 

Looking ahead to 2023, we are ready to continue on this journey, keeping you and your business moving, here to support you with whatever comes next. Happy New Year! 

If you need to speak to one of the team at Radnes Services over the holidays, do get in touch here.

An image of Caterpillar stacker

What is short term hire and how can it help your business?

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Short term forklift hire is where you can rent a forklift for a period of time from one week up to 12 months, usually with service and maintenance included, for an agreed price. The forklift isn’t yours, but you get the benefits of its use and the additional capacity in your business.

Leading Brand Forklifts for Hire

We can supply leading brands of forklift for your business to suit your needs. Whether you need a certain type of forklift, are looking for a certain brand, need something for a few weeks or a few months, we can help you with this.

Our team will listen to what you need and suggest something that will help you out. We pride ourselves that many of our hire customers are repeat customers who trust us everytime to get them the right forklift, when they need it the most.

Many of our hire customers also go on to buy from us, trusting our knowledge of forklifts and the industry over decades to help them make the right choice for their business. Short term hire is also a great way to find out what we do, who we are and how we work, to start a working relationship where we can support your business with what you need over the years to come.

Short term hire – for when you don’t know you need it

As well as being there for busy periods, one-off jobs and projects or to see if a forklift is right for them, short term forklift hire can also help out in an emergency. We are able to get forklift hire and agreed and in place quickly giving you the flexibility that you need when things go wrong and you need to cover a gap in your fleet while you get back on your feet.

Getting the best, to suit your needs

All of our hire options are serviced and maintained to our high quality standards. We expect the best from our forklifts and wouldn’t supply anything that doesn’t meet our engineers’ high expectations for our hire fleet.

We can offer many different options across stacker, counterbalance, pallet, reach and other types of truck to really make sure you are getting what you need for the situation you are in right now. We want to make sure that any hire truck works for your business and delivers for you, so we listen to what you are looking for, what you need to achieve and recommend what we think is the best to get you there.

Get in touch with our friendly team today and have a chat to them about how short term hire can help your business right now or in the future.

Lift Truck

Why regular forklift servicing is more important than ever in winter

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A well-maintained forklift fleet means smooth operations and high productivity. Most fleet managers know to get their machines regularly serviced, but not many understand the importance of regular forklift servicing in winter. As most forklifts are operated in draughty warehouses or in cold, outdoor conditions, taking care of your forklifts in winter is vital.

Regular Forklift Servicing and Forklift Checks – what can you do?

As the temperature drops, so can the workings of your forklifts. Take a look at these tips to see how you can keep your fleet well-maintained and operating smoothly during the winter months.

Check your tyres

Checking both the tread and pressure of your machines’ tyres is vital during winter. It is always important to check your tyre tread is up to standard, but this is particularly important in winter to ensure proper traction on slippery and wet surfaces.

As the temperature drops, so can the pressure of your tyres. Lower pressure means lower speeds and higher chances of further damage to your machines.

Antifreeze

Check your forklifts’ cooling systems and keep that antifreeze topped up. Neglecting your forklift’s cooling system is one of the easiest ways to accidentally damage a machine – particularly one that works in extreme heat and freezing conditions during the winter and summer months. This is a simple check trained employees may also carry out, meaning you do not necessarily need to go to an expert to check this.

Windshields and windshield wipers

If your forklift has an enclosed cab, it is important to maintain the best visibility conditions for the operator, especially during the darker and rainier seasons. Inspect your windshields for any minor chips that could turn into larger cracks to prevent having to take a machine to the workshop mid-shift or take it out of action. It is also important to check your windshield wipers’ function and get any malfunctions or breakages fixed as soon as possible. Winter is already a time of low visibility. Making it harder for your operators to see due to faulty windshield wipers could lead to injury and damage within your workplace.

Check and replace your batteries

Changes in temperature can affect a battery’s life and cause it to malfunction. Whenever the season changes, it is a good idea to check your batteries. Use a test load to check your battery is still in optimal condition and replace any faulty batteries. Having one of your forklifts break down in the middle of a shift is never ideal, but feels particularly bad in the freezing winter’s rain.

Check your lights

Winter means the sun sets earlier and rises later. Chances are, your fleet operators will be starting and finishing work in the dark. It can be easy to put off repairing faulty lights during the summer months, but it is essential for your staff and machines’ wellbeing that every machine in the fleet has working lights. Winter also provides a great opportunity to upgrade lights from halogen to LED lights, which fare better in colder weather, and are brighter and longer lasting.

Driving technique

How you drive will also greatly help maintain your forklift. Encourage your employees or co-workers to let the machine warm up unloaded before being loaded and driven. Suddenly driving with a cold engine is not ideal for any machine. This is also true of forklifts.

Driving slower may also be necessary in winter as surfaces become wet and icy. Encouraging your employees to drive slower will help reduce the need for external maintenance due to crashes and scratches.

Winter can bring harsh and challenging conditions for your workers. With proper maintenance and caution, the colder months don’t have to impact your fleet’s productivity. Take proper time and care of your machines this winter, and they will repay you with reliability all year round.

Want to find out more about regular forklift servicing?

For more information on our regular forklift servicing, contact the team today.

service

What forklift training does my team need and what is recommended?

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There are a lot of industries in which forklifts can help to increase the productivity and efficiency of workers. They can also be a great way to avoid injuries and strain on staff as relying on machinery means they are less likely to risk their own health. However, in order for forklifts to reduce safety risks, it is essential that staff undergo forklift training before operating the machines. Read on to find out more about what training is needed and what you can gain from putting your workers through this training.

What training is needed to drive a forklift?

There’s no need to panic if some members of your team don’t have a driver’s licence since this isn’t essential to learning to drive a forklift. The only time they will need a full driver’s licence is if they have to drive the forklift on a public road.

While the lack of a driving licence isn’t likely to be a problem if the work is within a warehouse or store, it is still pivotal that your team members have the correct training and certification to be able to drive your forklifts. These can be accredited to either the RTITB (Road Transport Industry Training Board), ITSAAR (Independent Training Standards Scheme & Register), ALLMI (Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers), NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) or AITT (Association Of Industrial Truck Trainers).

Any of the previously mentioned training institutes will provide a well-recognised certification that staff can present to employers in order to prove their competence and ability to handle a forklift safely. For this reason, you will benefit from either employing those who have completed one of these courses already or putting your team through one in order to make sure they can operate the machinery without causing any potential harm or damage.

What are the benefits of full training?

While forklift training is mandatory, if the machines are to be used by your company, it also brings many benefits for your business. Training your staff with a reputable provider can make staff feel more involved and cared for within the business which will, in turn, provide greater motivation for them. Being able to demonstrate the skill and prove the high standards your team is held to will also help to create a good reputation for your business, amongst employees, potential future staff and even customers.

Ongoing training, on the other hand, is not enforceable even though it is recommended. There are still lots of benefits to providing ongoing training for forklift drivers, however. Firstly, as a potentially dangerous job, it is important to keep your staff up to date on their driving skills. It can help them to avoid forming bad habits or even can break the ones that have already formed. This is vital in a role where a single mistake could cause serious injury to the driver as well as to others around them.

In some circumstances, having ongoing training for your forklift drivers can also mean that you benefit from lower insurance premiums. This can work out well for you since the premiums are often decided based on how much potential there is for accidents or things to go wrong, which is significantly decreased if your drivers are continually keeping up to date with training. Furthermore, frequent training is also sure to decrease the likelihood of accidents meaning you shouldn’t have to claim at all, also lowering your premiums.

All in all, there aren’t really any negatives to ongoing training, so make sure to get your staff trained!

For more information about the training that we can offer, contact our team today.

forklift worker

Multi-way & Turret CAT Forklift Trucks – What are they & how can they benefit your business?

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Need to upgrade your forklift game? Designed to maximise stacking and order picking efficiency in narrow aisles, the new range of Multi-way & Turret CAT Forklift Trucks is almost infinitely adaptable to fit each application perfectly.

For a forklift that means business, the Multi-way reach trucks offer versatile motion and ultimate productivity for day-to-day duties. Man-up turret trucks can benefit your business environment so let’s dig deeper into why that is.

What is a man-up turret truck?

If you’re looking to maximise warehouse efficiency, the flexibility of a man-up turret truck is next level. For warehouses with very narrow aisles and high racking, this forklift can fit your space whilst loading and operating precisely.

Each turret truck is custom-built, following a detailed brief of your unique operation and measurements. This means that when using the truck, operators have peace of mind they are in a safe environment and can do their jobs efficiently.

Man-up turret truck benefits

A turret truck is specifically designed to do one task and do it well: operate in very narrow aisles. The CAT man-up turret truck range has a customised specification to precisely meet your space, load and operator requirements.

There are five core NVT models with capacities between 1.1 and 1.5 tonnes. They are easy and enjoyable to operate and vary in cabin size and design. Still, They are all comfortable to manoeuvre inside, ensuring you work efficiently with high productivity and low running costs.

What is a multi-way reach truck?

The multi-way forklifts are the ideal narrow aisle truck for warehouses. Their immense capabilities are particularly suited for handling large loads in tight aisles. It’s all thanks to their synchronous wheel steering and quality fork positioner.

Whatever the task, the multi-way reach truck provides unbeatable manoeuvrability, speed and precision. This machine’s flexibility, performance and durability are brilliant and allow the operator to sit comfortably, knowing they can complete their job without worry.

Multi-way reach truck benefits

One of the main benefits of this forklift is that it allows you to store heavy or unusual loads in formerly difficult-to-reach areas. Whether you are looking to store boxes in an unusual space or stack pallets on high shelves, the multi-way truck will allow you to do so. Not only this, but the CAT Responsive Drive System (RDS) will monitor and instantly react to changes in pedal movement speed, ensuring all movements, stops, and starts are smooth.

From standard pallets to pipes, planks and beams, the CAT multi-way reach truck will help your business run more efficiently. As a bonus, your employees will be happy operating this low-effort machine inside the high-comfort cabins, with ergonomic control and state-of-the-art adjustable armrest.

Your Business Will Thank You For It

A turret truck is incredibly technical and should only be used for high-volume handling. Warehouses, construction sites and stockrooms are all places that would benefit from using a reach truck and multi-way forklift. By having either one of these forklift trucks, you could save up to 50% more space inside your warehouse, increasing your product holding capacity.

Standard forklifts might only be able to reach 8-12 metres compared to a whopping 16 metres from the turret trucks. Like your normal reach trucks, the multi-way reach trucks are similar but offer more flexibility and fix your main concern of moving long loads, like pipes, in narrow aisles.

If you’re a business owner with a warehouse or other facility where you are currently struggling with the current lifting equipment that you are using to move products, upgrading to either one of the CAT forklifts is a great investment for the future of your company.

Contact one of our friendly team to find out more.

forklift worker

What are forklift stackers and how can they benefit your business?

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Forklift stackers are perfectly designed for multiple applications including manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Expertly engineered these material handling solutions are commonly constructed around programable AC motors and can meet any storage or retrieval application onsite.

Stackers are built to carry goods on pallets safely from one destination to another. They are designed to stack both full and empty pallets and a wide range of different models are available for different types of storage facilities that need to organise and access their stock. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at pallet stackers and some of the business benefits they can deliver.

What is a forklift stacker?

Also known as pallet stackers, forklift stackers are an enhanced edition of a pallet truck that is more suited to storing loads and stacking pallets in high-level areas. These material handling solutions have a pair of forks that allow stock on pallets to be lifted off the floor and stored in the racking above. Some models work on hydraulic power while others are electric. Some solutions will also include a platform that allows the driver to accompany the pallet as it is raised and control operation from his position.

Business benefits of using forklift stackers

Today cutting-edge forklift stackers are available from leading equipment specialists. An outstanding example is the range of pallet stacker supplied by CAT that offer an extensive selection of advantages for companies that employ them. CAT’s range features three different solutions for specific requirements, pedestrian stackers, stand-in stackers and platform stackers.

Pedestrian forklift stackers

Pedestrian forklift stackers are engineered for shorter shuttle applications as well as stacking goods up to heights of 5.4 metres. Leading pedestrian stackers like those provided by CAT incorporate the most state-of-the-art technology available. As a result, they provide warehouses with a reliable workhorse that can improve productivity. Featuring a robust design, they deliver extended active service life when maintained correctly. Fortunately, forklift stackers are exceptionally low maintenance and affordable to run. Comfortable for operators to use, they can increase employee well-being and are compact in design, taking up little space when not in use.

Stand-in forklift stackers

These versatile and compact stand-in-style stackers have the capacity to stack goods up to heights of 7 metres. They are designed for rapid internal transport over both long distances improving work rates. Flexible, they can also be employed for order picking, due to their simple on-off access and swift manoeuvring. Stand-in stackers can help companies save on costs as they are less expensive than other options like platform forklift stackers. They can also boost productivity, lower labour, and fleet costs, and increase the storage density of a site. As a result, they can significantly reduce a firm’s TCO (total cost of operation). Onboard systems are designed with operators in mind. As a result, users can perform tasks more rapidly and safely.

Platform forklift stackers

Finally, platform stackers are constructed to stack pallets up to heights of 5.4 metres and can handle horizontal transport across any distance. These versatile solutions can be employed in ride-on or pedestrian mode, thanks to a folding platform that can be retracted when not in use to save space. Exceptionally nimble, they can work in narrow spaces allowing operations to maximise their available space. Simple to maintain and user-friendly they are built for frequent use and can mitigate operational downtime.

From safe and secure handling and adaptability to offering tighter turn circles and storage space saving, the advantages of using forklift stackers cannot be underestimated. Always ensure that the option you select is from a leading manufacturer.

To find out more about how we can help you with forklift stackers, get in touch today.

forklift operator

Top tips for operating forklifts in the summer heat

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Fork truck fleets are under increasing pressure as the peak summer months get underway. For forklifts in summer, lengthy heatwaves take their toll on lifting machines. It’s not particularly pleasant for operatives either. The current economic climate is hardly helping the situation right now so, before something gives, you need to get on top of both machine and operator welfare this sunny season.

Forklift operation can be adversely affected by rising temperatures and high levels of humidity. Add in increasing demands on warehousing as the Covid recovery continues, plus shortages in many industries ramping up the pressure, and it could just be that the perfect summer storm will see materials handling operations begin to creak.

That means some additional steps are needed to keep the motors running, the forks lifting and the goods moving.

Recognise the signs of forklift overheating

Overheating is a major problem for forklifts in the summer. Indoor-operating fork trucks can be subject to continuous high temperatures while those that work outside are exposed to long periods of sunlight beating down on them

A radiator in good working order and free from debris will help protect forklifts from overheating, while regularly checking coolant levels is essential. Inspect hoses for holes and leaks more frequently as high temperatures can make them more prone to cracking. Clogged filters also make overheating more likely, as do broken fan blades and loose fan belts.

Ensure operatives are fully briefed on recognising the signs that a forklift may be overheating. These include the temperature gauge moving into the red zone, steam coming from the engine compartment, backfiring or a loud growling noise during operation, and the cabin airflow becoming unusually warm. If any of those are noted, the fork truck should halt operations and maintenance personnel called.

Don’t let the battery die

Heat has several effects on a fork truck battery and they’re all negative. High temperatures lead to shorter battery life, so they’ll usually need replacing more often in summer than winter. Heat also causes battery fluids to evaporate so you’ll need to check the levels in the cells frequently.

If water levels are low in older lead-acid batteries, be sure to top up with water that is pH-neutral, distilled and deionised. You’ll likely need to increase the frequency of battery watering throughout the day in hot weather.

Check the tyres regularly

For forklifts in summer the heat can cause forklift tyres to crack. It can also lead to the rubber softening and this, combined with dusty conditions in dirty environments, can quickly result in the tyre sidewalls becoming more prone to damage and failure.

The air inside a fork truck tyre will also expand when it’s warm, causing higher pressure and a greater risk of a blow out. Conduct daily checks of tyre pressure – more when it’s particularly hot and inspect all surfaces for signs of cracking and excessive wear.

Pay attention to the lifting gear

As with all fluids, hydraulic fluid will evaporate more easily in hot conditions. Regularly check the levels to prevent the increased risk of forklift hydraulic systems seizing up and breaking down.

If the Great British weather reverts to type and we experience unpredictable conditions with large swings from cool days and nights to baking hot periods, the big shifts in temperature can play havoc with the sturdiness of cables, chains and connectors so have them examined regularly.

Overworked fork trucks in the long hot summer of ‘22

Aside from an impeccable preventative maintenance programme – which will keep you on top of everything above – a major cause of fork truck breakdown and overheating in the summer is simply overworking the machine itself. And spare a thought for its operator too.

In these times of soaring demand, supply chain issues and shortages in everything from commodities to construction materials, food products to labour, the demands on warehouses, fork trucks and staff are enormous. Plus, it’s a simple fact that working in summer can be exhausting for both humans and machines.

A revised inspection and servicing regime with increased frequencies, coupled with regular breaks and topped-up fluids for both truck and operator throughout the day are essential to avoid a complete meltdown.

Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you keep your fleet on the go!

forklift electrical systems

What do you need to do for your forklifts during the summer months?

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In England, most of us cannot wait for when the summer months are upon us, and the weather is finally getting warmer. However, for those of us using forklifts in this extreme heat, it can become tough. Since warm weather can begin to take a toll on your heavy equipment, it’s important that you know what you need to do to make sure your forklift stays in good shape and the things to look out for if it is not. Whether that’s an overheating engine, your tires feeling a little too bouncy, or a run-down battery, here are a few cautionary checks and tips for your forklifts this summer.

Regularly check the battery

Whilst this seems pretty obvious, not many people know that the summer weather can affect your forklift battery and can actually reduce its life span. This is because as temperatures change and the sun starts beaming down on your forklift, it can actually cause the battery fluids to evaporate leading to corrosion.

For this reason, especially in the summer months, you must make sure to regularly check your battery’s fluid levels and top them up with water if need be.

Cool your engine down

On a hot summer day, it’s a good idea to monitor your engine’s running temperature to look out for overheating. If you find it is too hot, turn it off immediately and let it cool down before using it again.

Better yet, find a bit of shade to help speed up the cooling process and ensure minimal damage to your forklift. Just as the heat affects us when we are in it too long, it also affects your forklift, so they need the same care and attention in the heat as we do.

Check for damage to the fan

When trying to make sure your engine does not overheat, checking the fan is the first thing to do. Since all engines rely on a fan to keep them cool on a regular day, during the summer months the fan will often be working overtime to ensure your forklift is not getting too hot.

Check the fan every day for cracks and if you notice anything make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid damage caused by overheating.

Check your fluid levels

When using a forklift in extreme heat, it’s very important to ensure that your coolant levels are not running low. If coolant levels do run below the minimum this will need to be fixed right away as it can then lead to damage to the engine, causing a vicious circle.

To be safe, regularly check all fluid levels including the oil, and ensure that hoses are fully intact to make sure that your coolant is not leaking.

Look after your operators

Whilst there are many things to look out for to ensure your forklift is running smoothly during summer, it is the operators who are responsible for this, so keeping them safe in the scorching heat will also benefit the process.

Taking precautionary measures towards your operators will protect both them and your forklift and prevent the slowing down of productivity.

To beat the heat, make sure that your operators avoid heat exhaustion by ensuring they are well-rested before taking on the job. It is also extremely important that when your forklift is taking a break from the sun, so are the operators, by taking a well-deserved time out in the shade.

Just as a forklift needs to have its coolant fluid levels checked, operators also need to make sure they are fully hydrated to allow them to have enough energy to carry out the job and keep them safe in the warm weather.

forklift warehouse

What are hand pallet trucks and how can they benefit your business?

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Hand pallet trucks, also known as pallet jacks and pump trucks, are without a doubt among the most vital tools available for material handling. For decades pallet trucks have served as a go-to option for lift truck operators, taking the strain out of unloading, loading, and moving pallets of goods on location.

Essentially, the pallet truck is a basic form of fork truck, manually operated it is equipped with two prongs, also called forks designed to fit into cargo pallets. The forks carrying a pallet of goods can then be raised off the ground using either hydraulic or electric processes. As a result, the load is lighter and easier to move. The truck operator can pull or push the pallet truck as required, steer it and brake. When they arrive at their location, operators can then lower the forks and cargo to ground level safely.

The brakes of pallet trucks can also be locked in place when they are not in use for safety. They are typically stored with their forks in stacked pallets to stop them from blocking pedestrian and vehicle paths on-site and avoid accidents.

What types of operations can use pallet trucks?

A versatile material handling solution, pallet trucks are used in many different working environments. They can move palletised loads and pallets in warehouses, distribution centres, logistics hubs and indoor and even outdoor construction sites when adequate surfaces are available to operate on. Many varieties are small in size and clean to run, making them ideal for retail facilities that sell heavy goods.

What are the business benefits of using pallet trucks?

Designed to maximise efficiency and productivity while reducing costs, pallet trucks have much to offer the enterprises that use them. Tasks that would typically require multiple personnel to complete are effective transformed into one-man jobs.

As loads are easier to move around, pallet trucks also promote health and safety on site. Accidents are easier to avoid and there is less physical strain on drivers.

Established pallet truck manufacturers are continually updating and developing their designs to produce increasing efficient options. CAT pallet trucks for example are engineered for high performance and tailored to their operator’s needs.

The hand pallet trucks supplied by CAT are relatively small allowing them to access narrow areas of warehouses and other production environments. As a result, enterprises can make the best use of the space available on site and access it easily. CAT trucks are fitted with integrated hydraulics that lower or raise forks as required for the smooth and easy transfer of goods.

What are the different types of pallet trucks?

To answer the varying needs of different types of businesses, a diverse range of pallet trucks are available to purchase. Each has its benefits and features and is designed to answer unique challenges.

Manual pallet trucks are hand-operated, heavy-duty workhorses. They are mostly employed to manually lift and move loads of up to around 2500kg and are the basic standard of pallet trucks sold.

Electric pallet (EP) trucks, as the name suggests, run on electrical battery power. They are typically utilised for high-spec constructions. Their main benefit is how they remove manual labour processes when moving loads.

High-lift pallet trucks are used for lifting loads far higher than a conventional pallet truck is capable of. Simultaneously these trucks can serve as a workbench or lifting table.

Weigh-scale pallet trucks are used for weighing cargo being transported up to specific amounts while providing both the use and efficiency of a standard pallet truck.

Finally, always ensure pallet trucks are inspected daily and maintained according to the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEMs) recommendation for safe and effective service.

Want to find out more? Contact our friendly team today to chat about how we can help you with hand pallet trucks.

forklift

What do you need for a thorough forklift LOLER and PUWER 98 compliant examination?

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You rely on your forklift to be a reliable and dependable working machine. To that end, regular and thorough inspections are essential in order to keep your forklift working at its best. Here’s what you need to know about regular forklift maintenance, including how often you should have it done, what should be included and LOLER/PUWER 98 compliance.

What is a forklift Thorough Examination?

The first thing you should be aware of if you’re not already is that a Report of Thorough Examination works the same way as a vehicle’s MOT does. That’s to say that it’s not “up to you” whether you get one or not. A Report of Thorough Examination is an indication that the machine has been comprehensively examined and is deemed safe for use. This has to be done annually at a minimum, there is a possibility of the intervals being less depending on the harshness of the work your forklift does and the specific attachments used.

A Thorough Examination must be done by someone deemed a “Competent Person”. A competent person, in this case, is anyone who is properly certified in the repair, maintenance, and examination of forklifts. If you’re in doubt be sure to ask your chosen specialist if they are suitable to act as a competent person for the purposes of the inspection. If they’re not, the inspection will be void.

What is covered in a Thorough Examination?

A Thorough Examination will, as the name implies, encompass all aspects of your forklift’s operation. Every element of the drive train, steering, brakes, and attachments will be thoroughly examined. Much as with an MOT, these elements will be inspected for their safety and suitability for use. If anything is deemed to not be operating within proper safety standards, you will have to have it repaired or replaced before a Report of Thorough Examination can be issued.

You will often see mention of LOLER and PUWER elements of the tests. LOLER is the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Broadly speaking LOLER refers to the lifting elements of the forklift, namely the forks themselves or the other attachments you’re using. PUWER will refer to the vehicular elements, such as the drivetrain and brakes. These guidelines are laid out in the LOLER 98 and PUWER 98 sections of the HSE website. If you’re not familiar with these regulations, it’s important to read up on them and what they stipulate.

Whose responsibility is the Thorough Examination?

The Thorough Examination is the responsibility of the forklift truck’s owner. If you’re the owner and operator of the vehicle you’re responsible for arranging it. If however, you hire your forklift, the hire company is responsible – but it’s still up to you to ensure that it has been carried out before using the forklift.

How can you ensure that your forklift passes?

Regular maintenance is the key to a reliable forklift, and the Report of Thorough Examination isn’t the be-all-end-all of your forklift maintenance program.

Regular inspections and repairs of your forklift will help ensure there are never any untoward surprises when it goes in for its Thorough Examination. Make sure employees report defects or concerns with the vehicle and that they are immediately attended to. This will ensure your forklift should be in good working order on a consistent basis.

It’s also worth ensuring all operators of your forklift(s) are up do date with best practices when it comes to operating the vehicle smoothly. This can help minimise wear and tear on key components, minimising necessary repair costs.

Want to find out how we can help you get through Thorough Examination? Get in touch with our friendly team today.