If you intend to use forklift truck hire during your construction project, here are a few steps you should take to prevent this piece of equipment from breaking down.

Make sure the operator follows the instructions in the forklift operating manual

One of the most effective ways to prevent a breakdown is to ensure that the person operating the equipment follows the guidelines in the equipment's operating manual. The forklift truck hire company that you rent the equipment from should be able to provide you with a copy of this manual.

The guidelines in the operating manual will include critical information regarding, for example, the maximum loads that your specific make and model of forklift is designed to carry.

This information will help to ensure that the operator doesn't make the mistake of attempting to transport an excessively-heavy collection of building materials. This, in turn, will ensure that the forks of the equipment do not collapse under the weight of the load.

The operating manual that forklift truck hire company give you should also include a list of the inspection work that the operator should perform on a daily basis. These daily inspections will enable the operator to detect and repair faults before they cause the forklift to malfunction.

Take the appropriate precautions when using the forklift truck during periods of bad weather

A forklift is a very robust piece of construction equipment. However, it can still malfunction if its operator chooses to drive it during a bout of bad weather, without taking the appropriate precautions.

For example, if you need to use the forklift during the winter and the construction site is covered in a mixture of ice and snow, you should make sure that the operator fits studs or chains on the tyres before they begin operating the equipment.

If they do not, there is a very good chance that the forklift will lose traction and end up colliding with nearby equipment. In addition to causing severe damage to the forklift, this type of collision could also endanger the operator and any other individuals working nearby.

Similarly, if it is raining heavily, the forklift operator should check that the equipment's windshield wiper is fully functional, and should place a transparent waterproof cover over the exposed areas of the cab. These two precautions will ensure that the operator does not experience visibility problems which could impair their ability to drive the forklift safely.

If an operator were to use this equipment in wet weather without taking these precautions, they could potentially fail to spot an obstruction (such as a pile of building materials or a power line) and could then end up colliding with it.