The decision to buy a forklift can be a pricey one, and isn't always necessary, depending upon whether or not you can simply replace or repair parts. However, there are certain indications that your machine's useful life is coming to an end. Here are a few signs that it is time to buy a forklift.

Buy a forklift when maintenance costs begin to increase.

A comprehensive maintenance plan for your
forklift is an important way to extend its lifespan. Keeping your forklift
well-maintained and keeping up with regular tasks, like oil changes and
inspections, can prevent major breakdowns that might force you to buy a
forklift early.

However, as a forklift ages, maintenance may begin to cost more
than it is worth. For example, you may find that an oil leak requires frequent
oil changes, which also means more frequent downtime for your machine and more
frequent expenses. More and more small things may go wrong with your machine.
Eventually, you may find that your forklift is nickeling and diming you to
death, digging a hole in your financial pocket that is not worth the continued
use you are getting from the machine.

While the point at which the cost of buying a forklift is worth
the maintenance savings is subjective, it is an important consideration as your
forklift ages. When you feel as if the maintenance is no longer financially
worth it, it may be time to buy a new forklift for your fleet.

Darr Equipment Co has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates 65 years of delivering material handling equipment and custom service solutions for companies throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Through Darr’s service first mentality and varied offerings, companies have improved their day-to-day materials handling and enhanced warehouse efficiency and effectiveness.

Darr Equipment Co recognized a need to provide materials handling through not only new equipment sales but also for customers searching for rental and service solutions provided by a dealer who would strive to treat them like a part of the family. This was the company’s motivation and founding spirit with its original inception in 1954, and remains the same today: to provide the industry’s best equipment and services so that their customers recommend Darr, equipment operators prefer Darr, and their employees are proud to work at Darr. Darr has achieved these goals through its ongoing commitment to excellence coupled with strong customer loyalty.

A fourth-generation, family owned and operated business, it has maintained its privately held ownership throughout its history. This allows Darr to control key strategic and business decisions to ensure a consistent focus on meeting the specific business needs of its customer base.

Darr leadership has reflected saying, "“We started out with a philosophy of listening to the marketplace, delivering quality products and providing attentive customer service. Our founding beliefs remain our top priority today and I believe because of that - our company remains viable, strong and growing. A big thank you to the hundreds of valued customers and strategic partners, but especially to those who had faith in Darr from the very beginning.” 

The company’s suite of product and service offerings has expanded over the last six decades in response to customers’ evolving business expectations and industry demands. Today, customers ranging from grocery stores to tiling companies have used Darr as their dealer and service provider of choice for nearly all areas of their materials handling and warehouse operations.

Forklifts require regular care in order to extend their lives and prevent accidents. While some tasks, like pre-shift inspections and regular oil changes, are generally common knowledge, not everyone knows about how to
properly maintain a forklift battery. However, that battery is just as critical to the functioning of your machine as are the tires or the engine or other forklift parts. As a result, part of providing good forklift service for your machine is keeping up with the maintenance and care of the battery. Here are a few tips for keeping the battery up and running for as long as possible.

Avoid opportunity charging your forklift batteries.

Forklift batteries must be charged regularly. It can be tempting to charge them whenever you have a break or a mealtime. That way, you rarely have to worry about them needing to be charged during a shift, or taking
the time to hook them up after your shift.

The reality, however, is that opportunity charging your forklift batteries will shorten their lives. Each battery will last a certain number of life cycles. Every time you charge the battery, you use one of those life cycles. Casually charging your machine for short periods, therefore, can shorten the number of life cycles the battery has. And that can mean needing to purchase a new battery far sooner than you might have anticipated. 

Charge your forklift
batteries correctly.

Forklift rentals can be a saving grace for busy companies looking to add to their fleet without incurring the expense of purchasing a new piece of equipment. Whether you need to replace a broken forklift during repairs or add another machine to your fleet for a specific job, forklift rental can be a smart and money-saving approach.

However, unless you carefully evaluate your forklift rental before committing to it, you may inadvertently cost yourself significant time and money instead. Here are a few common forklift rental mistakes that you should avoid in order to minimize the cost of the rental and maximize the benefit you receive from it.

Forklift Rental Mistake
1: Failing to read and understand the contract.

Every forklift rental will come with a contract which details
the terms, conditions, and charges of the rental. This contract should answer
many of your questions regarding the rental. However, many people sign this
document without bothering to read it carefully or ask questions about parts
they may not understand.

This failure can cost you money in surprise charges. For
example, you may incur charges if you return the forklift late, so you have to
know when the forklift is due back, and where you are allowed to return it
(i.e. do you need to bring it back to the same location where you picked it
up?). You may also encounter charges, such as delivery or fuel charges, that
you have to add into your total rental amount. Understanding your contract,
therefore, is critical in keeping the terms of the rental and avoiding surprise
expenses you may not have planned for.

Forklifts, like any heavy machinery you own in your fleet, will require regular servicing in order to keep them in top working condition, and in order to prevent major breakdowns that could lead to costly accidents or downtime. Ideally, your machine came with a recommended maintenance schedule from the manufacturer that detailed what types of forklift service were required and when they should be completed.

However, sometimes, companies become confused by the different kinds of forklift service that their machine should undergo. For example, when it comes to maintaining your machine, there are two types of service you need to implement: Routine and preventative. Both of these types of service are important in keeping your forklift working well, but they do vary slightly from each other. Here is a look at preventative vs. routine forklift service.

Routine vs. Preventative
Forklift Service: Timing

Perhaps the biggest difference between routine forklift service
and preventative forklift service is the timing of these tasks. While each type
of service happens on a predictable schedule, routine servicing typically
occurs daily or weekly, on an ongoing basis, thus the name "routine."

For example, your forklift requires daily inspections before
every single shift. These inspections involve tasks such as checking the tires
and the brakes, keeping the batteries charged or the fuel tank full, inspecting
the machine for broken or bent forks, and cleaning out the forklift to prevent
the buildup of lint and dirt that could contribute toward a fire.

A family-owned company for more than six decades, Darr Equipment Co. provides customized industrial equipment solutions to its customers. We believe in providing excellent customer service and always putting our customers first. In addition to these core values, we’re proud supporters of the local communities in which we operate. 

For the past 15 years, we’ve been honored to sponsor the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Rodeo Houston® is more than a community tradition -- it’s an event held in high esteem throughout the state of Texas and beyond. We’re especially proud to support an event that benefits the youth of Texas, with more than $475 million in scholarships since 1932.

Since we love Rodeo Houston so much, we want to share the top five things we’re looking forward to at this amazing event.

1. Providing Logistical Support
The biggest reason we love the Rodeo Houston  is because we can see our equipment make a positive impact in the community. Through our partnership with Cat Lift Trucks™, more than 100 of our machines will work to make sure the rodeo happens. Our lift trucks are key to transforming the grounds, arena preparations for each event, product distribution throughout the event, and teardown. 

2. Giving Back
Family is central to the culture of Darr, which is why we love taking part in special events at the rodeo like Rodeo Acts of Kindness™ (RAK) and Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Watch for us on the grounds on RAK day (March 2). And, if you’re an active service member in uniform with a current military ID, or the spouse of one, you’ll get free admission to NRG Park on Armed Forces Appreciation Day (February 27). We thank you for your service to our great nation!

If you own a forklift, you will eventually have to invest in some replacement forklift parts. Even the best maintenance can only forestall repairs and replacements for so long. Over time, you will need to locate high quality (preferably new) parts to keep your machine in top running condition.

Since the complete failure of certain forklift parts can lead to major accidents and downtime (i.e. brake failure can be catastrophic if it happens while a forklift is carrying a load or turning to avoid people), it is important to replace certain parts before they break down.

Of course, some parts last longer than others. The forklift parts that need more frequent replacement are usually those that experience the most wear and tear. Here are a few of the most commonly replaced forklift parts and some clues to watch out for that could signal your attention.

Most Commonly Replaced Forklift Parts #1: Lift Truck Forks and Masts

The forklift fork is the most recognizable part of the forklift. These forks, and the mast to which they are attached, are what lift and carry the heavy loads around the warehouse or the work site. Because they carry the loads all day every day for the machine, they are some of the most commonly replaced forklift parts. Over time, even the tough metal comprising the forks and mast will wear out or break down, requiring replacement.   

Forklift maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your machine and avoid costly repairs and downtime. However, even a comprehensive maintenance plan with a reliable dealer will not prevent every issue. When problems do occur, you need to know how to troubleshoot the issue and get the fastest and most reliable forklift repair possible. To help you get started, here are a few forklift repair and troubleshooting tips. 

Forklift Repair Step 1: Take the forklift out of service.

When your operator comes to you at the beginning of a shift and tells you that the steering on one of your
forklifts is a little slow, it’s tempting to hope that the steering holds out until the end of the day. However, ignoring
potential problems with your machine is an easy way to end up with a catastrophic accident. For example, if the steering gives out entirely, you might end up with serious property damage or injured employees from an out-of-control forklift.

Instead, the first step in any
forklift repair or troubleshooting situation is to remove the machine from
service. OSHA regulations require this step under many circumstances, including
seemingly innocuous situations, such as a tire missing a piece of rubber. The
motto "better safe than sorry" applies to all potential forklift servicesituations.

Forklifts require regular inspection and servicing to avoid major problems and costly downtimes. In fact, OSHA regulations stipulate certain preventative maintenance activities, like daily inspections and the prompt replacement of parts that begin to show wear and tear (i.e. tires missing rubber or cracked tines). Unfortunately, forklift service itself can be dangerous if done the wrong way. With 85 deaths and 35,000 injuries a year caused by forklifts, safety should be a priority. Here are a few tips for ensuring safety during these procedures.

Complete forklift service on the recommended schedule.

The first step in ensuring your safety and the safety of your workers is to complete your forklift service on the recommended schedule. This schedule often includes tasks that should be done within certain time frames (i.e. monthly or biannually).

Alternatively, your technician may recommend that you complete tasks based on how much the forklift is used. For example, you may need to replace your fuel filter after 200 hours of having the forklift turned on, or after a certain number of hours of pressing the forklift's pedal.

You may find that there are tasks that need to be completed on a time schedule, and others that need to be completed on a usage schedule. Regardless, your machine should come with a recommended maintenance schedule. In addition, your technician may have a preferred schedule for you to follow.

One of the most important steps you can take to extend the life and performance of your forklift is to conduct regular forklift maintenance, to keep up with OSHA regulations and the machine's recommended maintenance schedule.

However, keeping up with these tasks can be a lot to take on in addition to the other requirements of running a fleet of equipment. Also, finding experienced professionals to service your machines can be a hassle, and paying for all that maintenance can quickly put a dent in your finances.

This is why many businesses choose preventative forklift maintenance plans, such as those offered by Darr. These plans, which guarantee you the services of experienced technicians in keeping up with required maintenance for your machines, have a number of advantages. Here are just a few.

Forklift maintenance plans extend the life of your machines.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old saying goes. That is rarely as true as when it comes to forklift maintenance. Keeping up with OSHA regulations and the recommended schedule for your machine can extend its life by keeping it in top working order.

At Darr, our focus is not only on providing high quality machines to customers, and offering skilled support for customers who need assistance with lift truck repair and maintenance, but also on helping customers and employees enjoy a safer environment for the use of their forklifts. That’s why we love learning about new innovations in the industry that improve quality and safety and take advantage of advances in technology.

Here are some of the recent industry innovations that we find intriguing.

Virtual reality training prepares employees for safer lift truck operation.

Virtual reality training allows operators to practice their skills in an environment that looks and feels real without any danger to themselves or those around them. Kalmar recently introduced its Kalmar in a Box experience (kalmarglobal.com). This technology creates a way to give operators a hands-on experience that goes beyond reading books and learning theories so they can confidently go on to use a lift truck in a warehouse, or other work environment, with the confidence and skill that comes from experience.

At the same time, virtual reality training, because it does not involve the actual use of a forklift in a work environment, avoids any danger of accidents caused by inexperienced or inattentive operators of this sometimes very complex equipment. Mistakes become opportunities to learn instead of incidents that lead to serious injury or damage to a valuable machine. This training also frees up real machines to be used within the work environment instead of being tied up in training exercises.

A forklift is a significant purchase, whether you’re a growing company looking to invest in this type of machinery for the first time, or an experienced business looking to replace a worn out machine. Since prices vary for each model, and since you will ideally own the truck for many years, you need to ensure that the machine you choose will physically and financially fit your needs for as long as you own it. Take a look at some of the factors to consider if you plan to buy a forklift in 2019.

Choose between new and used before you buy.

One of the first decisions you will make regarding your lift truck is whether you want to purchase a new or a used one. Each type has its own advantages. For example, used forklifts tend to cost less to purchase up front, while new ones may have fewer forklift maintenance and repair costs over time.

The decision whether to buy new or used will typically come down to your company's specific situation. For example: Does your business have enough cash or financing to purchase a new lift truck or does your financial situation require you to buy a used one instead? Make sure you understand the pros and cons of each, and buy a forklift that best meets your company's immediate and future needs.

When you need an additional piece of material handling equipment for your business, you typically have two choices: purchase the equipment (either new or used) or rent the machine you need. While owning the equipment has its advantages, like always having access to the machine, renting is usually the most cost-effective solution for equipment you are only going to use occasionally. Here are some of the biggest ways equipment rental can save you money.

Upfront costs

Perhaps the biggest money-saving advantage of equipment rental is not paying the same upfront costs as you do when purchasing a machine outright. For example, lift trucks cost thousands of dollars to buy. Renting the same machine can cost much less and make it possible for businesses with tighter cash flows to afford the equipment they need to take on certain jobs, or expand their companies’ offerings.

Of course, the benefit of paying less upfront wears off the more you use the machine, while the rental fees increase over time. A general rule of thumb is that the cost of ownership is usually less than the cost of renting when you use the equipment 60 to 70 percent of the time or more. However, for machinery you only need occasionally or for specific projects, paying the smaller rental fee is usually worth it over spending the larger amount to buy the equipment.

Citing excellence in aftermarket service, Darr Equipment received the Platinum award from UniCarriers Americas Corporation (UCA) as part of its Aftermarket Excellence Program (AEP) Awards. The AEP recognizes UniCarriers dealers who achieve excellent performance in aftermarket parts and service. This is the tenth year Darr Equipment has received the honor.

“The AEP winners represent those who achieve excellent performance across a variety of aftermarket parts and service principles,” said Kevin Fick, director of aftermarket sales for UniCarriers Americas Corporation. “With the AEP, UCA will continuously work with dealers like Darr to drive sustainable and profitable growth in the future.” 

The AEP challenges UCA dealers to excel in performance standards across eight categories, including business planning, employee training, factory support and customer satisfaction. Each category has a maximum point value that dealers can earn in order to reach four possible award levels: bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. The end-result provides dealers with higher service margins, improved parts sales, more efficient work order processing, stronger customer retention, and in-turn, greater and sustained profitability. 

“At Darr, we pride ourselves on our values-driven, family-focused environment,” said CFO Jack Camiolo, CFO of Darr Equipment. “We value each and every one of our employees because they provide exceptional service to and build strong relationships with our customers. Within the environment at Darr, it is easier for our company to grow and succeed over the long term. This recognition from UCA is such an honor and privilege, acknowledging what we already know about our company - exceptional people with exceptional customer service.”

The program was first established in 1995 as the Service Excellence Program to provide dealers with tools to implement best-in-class principles covering technical and customer service practices. In 2014, UCA enhanced the program as the AEP to include parts operation metrics, allowing for a more comprehensive aftermarket program.

When it comes to lift truck maintenance, operation, and repair, safety is key. Workers have been seriously injured and even killed by the failure to properly operate and maintain industrial equipment. Workplace accidents can be expensive, with long-lasting ramifications. Here are just some of the general safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance procedures that workplaces must implement for lift trucks and related vehicles, and why these procedures are important.

Lift truck maintenance must include pre-shift visual inspections.

OSHA requires that all lift trucks be visually inspected before every shift. This means that if a workplace has three shifts in place, this visual inspection must take place three times a day.

This visual inspection should include inspection of the critical elements of the lift truck: the tires, fluid levels, battery, forks, and seatbelt. Any obvious damage, wear and tear or other problem should result in immediate repair of the lift truck before it is used in the workplace.   

This visual inspection is critical to ensure that no small problems that could result in major accidents go unnoticed. For example, low brake fluid could result in a crash if the brakes fail to stop the forklift in time. Worn tires could result in a potentially fatal accident if the tires break and the operator loses control. By promptly addressing any issues as they arise, inspections ensure that the equipment remains in top working order and that, as a result, it can be operated as safely and successfully as possible at all times.

More than 4,700 attendees from around the world gathered at the annual Breakbulk Americas 2018 trade show and exposition held this fall at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The exhibitors and sponsors included executives from leading specialized ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports/terminals, logistics providers, road, rail, barge and air transportation, export packers, and equipment companies. 

Proud Partner with Kalmar Global

Darr Equipment was proud to join the show floor once again with partner Kalmar Global to highlight the latest in industrial equipment offerings. Did you know that every fourth container in the world is moved by a Kalmar solution? Staff from our Houston locations were on site to meet with customers, host a happy hour, and give away goodies. 

Virtual Reality for Innovative Industrial Equipment

Debuting at our booth was Kalmar in a Box - a virtual training experience even our CEO Robert Engstrom had to try. Kalmar in a Box uses virtual reality technology to provide operators with a totally immersive training experience. Companies can now train both new and experienced operators on how to get the most from their Kalmar equipment safely, before physically operating the machine. Kalmar in a Box simulates real working scenarios and uses the same controls as our equipment, which results in faster and more effective training in the actual machine. Find out more at kalmarglobal.com/inabox.

When it comes to selecting a type of forklift for your business, you have many options. One of the most basic, however, is a choice between electric forklifts (powered by batteries) and internal combustion forklifts (powered by fuel). While each type has its advantages, there are a few times that an electric model is the best choice. Here are three of those times. 

Choose an electric forklift for tasks that occur primarily indoors.

Electric forklifts are best known for three qualities: An absence of emissions, an absence of noise and reduced maintenance cost over the life of the lift. The lack of emissions is a result of the fact that these lift trucks do not use fuel, like gasoline or diesel, that can create noxious fumes and exhaust that must be dealt with when creating a safe working environment.

Thanks to this lack of emissions, electric forklifts are ideal for indoor use. Businesses can undertake tasks such as filling orders, unloading pallets in a warehouse, and other indoor jobs without worrying about a buildup of emissions and fumes from fuel-powered forklifts. In addition, businesses have to worry less about accidentally violating OSHA regulations regarding fumes and emissions.

In addition, the quieter nature of electric forklifts means that they are easy to have around inside a building. There are no annoying sounds to contend with, and noise pollution is at a minimum. This fact can make using electric forklifts indoors an appealing option for creating a more comfortable work environment for employees.

With Darr being a proud sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys' and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, we thought it would be appropriate to explore exactly what forklifts have to do with sporting events. It's not like you see a forklift out and about on the field during the games, right?

But while forklifts might not be visible parts of a sporting event, they are without a doubt an essential element of these events. From participating in the construction of the venue to ensuring that concession stands have everything they need to satiate fans, new and used forklifts really are invaluable.

What follows is a look at some of the obvious and not so obvious examples of forklifts at work in sporting events. You might be surprised at how much they actually do.

Forklifts are involved in building the stadium.

Perhaps the most obvious role forklifts play in sporting events is in the building of the sports arena itself. From the moment the ground is broken to the point at which the structure is completed, forklifts are critical additions to the construction site.

Darr Equipment Co in the Dallas / Fort Worth area kicked off its leg of the Driving Innovation Roadshow this week.  Members from our dealership's sales team gathered at Darr's Willowbrook Rd. location for a day of training and "in the iron" demos around the Jungheinrich EFG 220 model.

Want to schedule a demo? Contact us now or check out all the Jungheinrich equipment we offer. And if you're in the Houston area, we'd love to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. when the Roadshow heads South.

Military service is a high honor, and a great sacrifice. Yet, leaving military service can often be difficult for veterans and their families. In fact, many veterans have some difficulty transitioning to civilian life (Learn more about this transition here). To help them with this transition, many companies strive to provide training, job opportunities, and support to military veterans and their families.

Darr Equipment is one of those companies. The military experience of our own leadership, combined with our deep respect for our service members and veterans, is what drives our commitment to easing the transition for military families by hiring them to work on our team.

Our long history of hiring veterans is a reflection of our dedication to give back to our service members for the sacrifices they have made for our country. We value the unique contributions veterans can bring to our business, and we work hard to cultivate an environment where they can thrive in new civilian careers.

Veterans bring unique experiences and qualifications to Darr.

Darr is delighted to hire veterans for our team, whether in sales, accounting and administration, marketing, equipment service, or other roles, in part because we know that they possess skills and qualifications that make them excellent employees.