Making the most of forklift batteries means understanding their role in industry. Companies that haul a lot of freight across warehouse or factory floors depend on forklifts to do the heavy lifting, but these machines don't power themselves. They rely on forklift batteries. Businesses with an eye toward efficiency will have a point person to hash out the details of a particular buying strategy, and with a few basic considerations, managers can ensure the quality of their purchases.

Online vendors can offer services and solutions for keeping forklift batteries in service year after year. Buyers, managers, owners and others tasked with maintaining battery-powered forklifts might look for:

1. training to assure that staff doesn’t misuse the machines and affecting forklift battery power.

2. products and services to repair used forklift batteries or preserve battery life for a used or refurbished industrial battery.

3. warranties and other promises of longevity for industrial forklift batteries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get forklift driver training to preserve forklift batteries

It's no good having quality gear if workers use it poorly and cause unnecessary wear. Bad driving can drain or damage all parts of the forklift, including the battery. Get on-site or online training solutions to take care of all of the communication needed to educate staff in best use.

I recommend: Bright Training and Safety Wear offers on-site training, including OSHA tips. For a solution that may be more practical for out of the way shops, check out online forklift training options at Forklift Tech.

Find warranties for assurance of life for forklift batteries

Just like with a range of other industrial equipment, the warranty is key for preserving a static bottom line. Keep warranties from forklift battery suppliers on file and avoid any potential early breakdown problems.

I recommend: The 20-year warranties at Storage Battery Systems will help you in continual future operations. Rocky Grove Sun Company offers five-year warranties on batteries for forklifts and free shipping within the continental U.S.

Look for products and services for used forklift battery maintenance and repair

Other online companies offer repair services for your batteries. You can also get some simple troubleshooting online and even maybe take care of the problem yourself.

I recommend: If you have "lazy battery" problems and possible buildup, consider the Battery Saver device from Inventioneering to optimize your battery life. Get repair service and solutions from Source Battery; check out the online site to see what this company can offer you for getting life out of forklift batteries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As mentioned, using warranties as a safeguard is an efficient way to make sure you took care of forklift batteries conditions for a certain time period. You don't want to have to worry about unforeseen wear or damage problems after the purchase as you'll be busy with other tasks. A properly filed warranty is insurance on your buy, but avoid over-buying this kind of insurance, as it you may never need it.

Getting an industrial forklift battery for your business is as easy as a few clicks on the computer. Forklift battery manufacturers offer a variety of choices. You can buy refurbished industrial batteries or new ones. Both will last for a long time.

When looking for forklift batteries, keep these things in mind:

1. Forklift batteries are a long-term investment. They are vital to keeping your business running.
2. Refurbished batteries are tested and reconditioned. By the time they go through the entire refurbishing process, they're like new.
3. It's important to maintain batteries for forklifts. You'll get a much longer battery life if you regularly clean them.

Action Steps
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Buy forklift batteries online

Read the specifications of each battery online. Most forklift battery suppliers have the features listed on their websites. Look for batteries with built-in overflow prevention, full-power ratings and a manufacturer's warranty.

I recommend: Decker Forklifts, Inc sells three different types of forklift batteries and chargers. Fill out their inquiry form. Use this search tool to find Toyota forklift battery suppliers. ThomasNet offers a comprehensive directory of forklift battery manufacturers and forklift battery providers. LiftTruck.com is another good resource.

Save money by buying refurbished industrial batteries

Knock up to 40% off your bill by purchasing a refurbished industrial battery instead of a new one. If you buy used forklift batteries from a reputable company, you can rest assured they are tested fully. Forklift battery providers inspect the battery to make sure it holds a charge. The used forklift batteries are washed and corrosion is removed. They are also sanded and repainted.

I recommend: Battery Works, Inc sells refurbished industrial batteries. They are all tested and reconditioned. Take a look at USA-Forklifts.com's products. They sell refurbished industrial batteries.

Get forklift battery charging stands

Forklift battery stands are a smart idea for your business. They're made of wood or steel, depending on the style you want. Look for one that's sloped to the back to prevent the batteries from rolling out. All have roller bases to allow for easy access to the forklift batteries.

I recommend: Sackett Battery Handling Systems sells single-level and multi-level battery charging stands. Also take a look at Eliftruck.com's inventory of batteries and forklift battery charging stands.

Protect your investment by buying a forklift battery wash

Forklift battery maintenance is very important. You must wash and neutralize industrial forklift batteries on a regular basis to prevent corrosion on the terminal cables and terminals. It also helps reduce dirt from building up on the top of the forklift battery. Forklift battery suppliers usually offer a few battery wash models. They all wash the forklift batteries in the same way. The difference is how you load the batteries onto the unit.

I recommend: Sackett Battery Handling Systems sells several different types of forklift battery washes.

Replace batteries for forklifts with a battery changing system

Battery changing systems do just as their name implies--they are mobile battery changers that attach to a pallet truck. They are designed to remove and replace industrial forklift batteries. A vacuum cup attaches to the battery casing and removes it smoothly. The forklift battery is then placed onto the roller bed.

I recommend: Check out American Surplus for used battery changing systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to contact forklift battery providers by phone to see if they have the part you need in stock. Items may be listed online for a company, but may not always be in stock.

For a business that has to warehouse products, store inventory or otherwise work with bulk goods, forklifts are the prime movers that often get the job done, and these beasts are often powered by large industrial forklift batteries that you recharge for continual use. There are a number of items businesses should use to keep forklift batteries in good shape.

A manager or buyer for a business can get these forklift battery supplies online from forklift battery providers who understand what it takes to get the job done every day on a product or warehouse floor. Buyers can find:

1. Protective cabling, caps, and other gear to keep new or used forklift batteries safe from exposure and provide needed security.

2. Safety wear and kits to use in the event of a forklift battery spill accident, including tools approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

3. Chargers for getting continual use out of a new or used forklift battery.

Action Steps
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Find spill kits and safety gear from forklift battery suppliers

Some online shops offer packages of supplies for dealing with forklift batteries that cause a workplace hazard. Having these on hand will help ensure a trouble-free fix.

I recommend: Forklift Training System offers spill kits and OSHA approved safety gear for industrial forklift batteries. Get more spill kits for forklift batteries like the Xtremesorb 55 gallon battery acid spill kit at Seton, another forklift battery supplier.

Get protective cabling for forklift batteries

Other shops provide buyers with forklift battery accessories including vinyl cables that protect the lines going into forklift batteries. These products are great for limiting the chance of frayed wires and exposed current.

I recommend: Bottom Line Loss Control points out that it's not kosher to fix battery cables with duct tape. This company sells hard vinyl hosing to protect cables and keep forklifts running. Protective cabling and a lot more is available at LiftTruck.com, including all kinds of small accessories for handling, maintaining and protecting forklift batteries.

Look for chargers for forklift batteries

The batteries that make these machines go wouldn't get juiced without special industrial chargers. If you're in need of one of these, check out the specs from online forklift battery manufacturers and other shops and get one on site to re-power your fleet.

I recommend: Get single phase battery chargers and more from Charging Chargers. Alternatively, find deal with used forklift battery chargers from Recycled Goods and get your machines roaring with efficient refurbished industrial batteries that will remain part of your equipment bay for a long time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  All of this and more is necessary for forklift battery maintenance. Check the manual on batteries to determine what specific supplies and accessories you need to keep your investment in top shape.

Whether you're in the market for forklift batteries or simply need to know more about them, gain a working knowledge of some forklift batteries key terms to get you started. Because of the nature of the work they're required to handle, forklift batteries are both large and powerful. They can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds and -- despite their rugged industrial appearance -- must be handled with extreme care to avoid injury to the battery and the handler.

Action Steps
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Lead acid

Lead acid batteries are the most common type of forklift battery. They are very powerful but also can be very dangerous. They must be well maintained and handled with care.

I recommend: A nicely researched article at University of Wisconsin System details the basics of lead acid batteries, including important service and safety procedures.

Electrolyte levels

A forklift battery's electrolytes must be maintained at the right levels in order to ensure peak performance from the battery. Depending on the type of battery, water levels need to be checked at regular intervals to keep forklift batteries functioning properly.

I recommend: GB Industrial Battery does a great job of explaining the role electrolytes play in forklift batteries and the importance of maintaining proper battery water levels.

Charging station

Forklift batteries carry inherent safety hazards due to their combination of chemicals, gases and enormous weight, making them difficult to maneuver safely into a charging station. Workers should take great care when placing forklift batteries into charging stations.

I recommend: The Best Practices section at BBI Battery is a great resource for learning about charging station safety, protective equipment and charging guidelines related to forklift batteries.

Watering system

The watering system is a very important component in the forklift battery charging process. Because the battery uses water to remix the acid and prevent damage to the battery, water needs to be added to the battery at the end of every charge. This can be done either manually or automatically.

I recommend: Raymond Handling Solutions explains and shows an example of a manual battery watering system. To learn about and see examples of automatic battery watering systems, head over to Forklift Battery Online.

Opportunity charging

Charging a forklift battery at any given 'down' time -- whether during a 15-minute break or during a two-hour meeting -- is called opportunity charging. Although it might seem like the right thing to do to keep your battery as fully charged as possible throughout the day, it's actually detrimental and doesn't do anything positive for the battery.

I recommend: Read the quick and informative article on the detrimental effects of opportunity charging at Southern California Battery.

Refurbished or rebuilt batteries

Refurbished forklift batteries are sometimes referred to as overhauled or rebuilt batteries. They are an economical alternative to new batteries, and generally yield performance similar to new forklift batteries.

I recommend: Take a look at the step-by-step process used to refurbish, or overhaul, a forklift battery at Source Battery Technology.