Our guides cover the decisions that come up when you run material handling equipment: whether to rent or buy, what to check before you purchase used, how to keep a fleet running through a Western New York winter, and what OSHA expects from your operators.

GUIDES BY TOPIC

FORKLIFT RENTALS

Short term, seasonal, and project rentals for warehouse managers, plant supervisors, and contractors across Erie, Chautauqua, and the surrounding counties

BUYING A USED FORKLIFT

Information to help owners and operations managers make effective purchase decisions when buying used forklifts and comparing machines throughout Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties

FORKLIFT SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Uptime, inspection routines, and planned maintenance for fleet managers and maintenance supervisors at facilities throughout Western New York

PARTS, TIRES, AND FORKS

Wear component replacement for maintenance technicians and parts buyers keeping equipment running in the Buffalo area

Batteries and Electric Equipment

Battery selection, charging practice, and power planning for warehouse and distribution operations running electric lift trucks in Western New York

Operator Safety and Training

OSHA compliance and operator certification for safety managers, supervisors, and the people responsible for training crews across the region

Warehouse Operations

Equipment mix, layout, energy use, and dock readiness for warehouses and distribution centers in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties

JIT Blog 11

GIVE YOUR BUDGET SOME BREATHING ROOM: THE CASE FOR RENTING FORKLIFTS

Joyce Schwob - July 10, 2025

When economic conditions start to shift, your business has to adapt quickly in order to survive. That means making smart decisions that ensure you can effectively serve your customers, complete your jobs, and avoid overextending yourself financially. In terms of equipment, if you need to expand your capabilities fast without a capital commitment, then renting Read more

JIT Blog 10

Give Your Budget Some Breathing Room: The Case for Buying Used Forklifts

Joyce Schwob - July 2, 2025

If you’re looking to expand your capabilities with high quality, budget friendly machines, then used forklifts are a great option. They help you reduce your upfront costs, avoid tariffs and potential supply chain delays, and are a ready source of reliable equipment that can go to work for you now. In this article, we cover Read more

JIT Blog Lubricant

A Key Part of Forklift Maintenance: Proper Lubrication

Joyce Schwob - October 5, 2023

Your forklift requires multiple types of lubricants and oils in order to operate correctly. Choosing the best machine lubricant for each system is a critical factor for prolonging the lifespan of your components and reducing unexpected downtime. To ensure your forklifts operate at their peak, we’ve put together some key information and tips that will Read more

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Warehouse Security: How to Prevent Equipment Theft

Joyce Schwob - August 17, 2023

Running a warehouse is a difficult job. You have to handle scheduling, personnel management, maintenance, forklift fleet optimization, safety, and other complex tasks. But one of the most important parts of your operation is warehouse security. Specifically, it is important to protect your equipment that you have at your facility from the possibility of theft. Read more

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Warehouse Safety: Watch Out for Harmful Emissions

Joyce Schwob - August 3, 2023

Dangerous emissions can be a serious problem in warehouses and other indoor facilities where forklifts operate. As the weather cools and turns cold in the fall and winter, there are fewer doors and windows open and less ventilation, making the problem even worse. The buildup of gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) Read more

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3 Signs You Might Need a New Forklift

Joyce Schwob - July 14, 2022

Your forklift works hard every single day moving around product and making your operation much more efficient. But the day will eventually come when your old forklift stops working as effectively or efficiently as it once did. Do you know what your “Cost per hour” is? Does it exceed the manufacturer’s guidelines? If so, it’s in Read more

JIT web Blog ForkliftBP v1

Forklift Operation Best Practices

Joyce Schwob - June 22, 2022

When it comes to forklift operation, the most common cause of equipment issues and repairs is operator error. To help you avoid any accidents, dangerous situations, or costly downtime, we’ve put together a list of forklift tips and best practices to maintain a productive operating environment. ALWAYS CONDUCT A WALKAROUND INSPECTION Before beginning forklift operation, Read more

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National Forklift Safety Day is June 14 2022

Joyce Schwob - May 26, 2022

National Forklift Safety Day is sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association.  On this day manufacturers call attention to the dangers of forklift operation and seek to educate customers, the public, and government officials about safe forklift operation. There are over 540,000 industrial truck operators employed in the United States. Keeping them operating safely benefits every Read more

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A Re-Opening Message from Your Forklift Safety Trainer

Joyce Schwob - June 8, 2020

Everyone has been thinking a lot about safety with the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve all taken measures to reduce the chances of getting sick and of carrying the disease to someone we love; social distancing, hand washing, wearing masks, avoiding crowds, etc.  As your Forklift Safety Trainer, I would like to remind you of the importance Read more

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10 Ideas for National Forklift Safety Day

Joyce Schwob - May 26, 2018

National Forklift Safety Day is on June 12th this year.  This day is a great opportunity to bring forklift safety to everyone’s “top of mind”.  Now is the time to prepare a worthwhile day for your team. If you search National Forklift Safety Day online, you’ll find hundreds of safety tips.  The hard part is Read more