How to Reduce Forklift Downtime by Replacing Critical Spare Parts on Time

When a forklift breaks down, much more than the truck stops: orders are delayed, shifts are disrupted, and costs start adding up without warning. And in many cases, all of this happens because a critical spare part was not replaced in time.

Do you know which components are most likely to leave you stranded? And how to anticipate failures without overstocking parts? We explain it here.

Which Spare Parts Are Truly Critical for Forklifts?

Not all spare parts are equal… and not all failures cause the same level of disruption. These are the components you should keep under control:

• Forklift mast rollers: Jerky movements, oil stains and reduced lifting capacity. Any leak or loss of pressure can disable the truck in the middle of a shift.

• Forklift wheels: Vibrations, uneven wear and handling difficulties. Excessive wear compromises equipment stability and operator safety.

• Hydraulic system and filters: Unusual noises, slow cycles, overheating… If the hydraulic system fails, the consequences can be serious and costly. Regularly check filters, hoses, motors, pipes and valves.

• Forklift batteries and chargers: Fast discharging, longer charging times or overheating chargers. A degraded battery not only shortens working hours but also disrupts the entire operational schedule.

If you work with models such as the Mitsubishi SENSiA EX or multidirectional trucks from HUBTEX, these components are essential to keep your operations running at full capacity.

How to Organise Spare Parts Maintenance to Prevent Downtime

The key is not to have every spare part in stock. It is to have the right ones, at the right time. This is how professionals do it:

• Set usage thresholds: for example, full inspections every 1,000 operating hours

• Carry out daily checks: wheels, fluid levels, leaks and noises. Operators should report issues before starting their shift

• Keep a minimum stock of critical spare parts adapted to your real fleet: wheels, filters, cylinders, batteries

• Work with reliable B2B suppliers such as Multibrand Spare Parts by ULMA Lifting Solutions, offering multi-brand references and OEM equivalents

When to Choose Original Spare Parts and When to Use Multi-Brand Alternatives

This is what experienced technicians from ULMA Lifting Solutions Multibrand Spare Parts recommend:

• Original spare parts (OEM): Perfect for safety-critical components (brakes, steering systems). More expensive, but safer.

• High-quality multi-brand spare parts: Ideal for wheels, filters, seals… Good value for money and fast delivery.

Practical tip: Document OEM references and their equivalents. You can do this through our online portal, comparing options and speeding up ordering.

Connecting Forklift Maintenance and Spare Parts Purchasing

Stop “firefighting” and start anticipating issues. How?

• Centralise information by truck model and spare parts

• Create a clear internal request flow: the technician detects, the buyer acts

• Rely on a professional eCommerce platform: access from any device, compare alternatives and place urgent orders in seconds

Visit Multibrand Spare Parts by ULMA Lifting Solutions and discover how to manage your spare parts like a true professional.