How to Choose a Replacement Forklift Battery

How to Choose a Replacement Forklift Battery

Whether you’re running a single machine or a large multi-shift fleet, if your operation includes electric forklifts, then using the right batteries is extremely important. The correct options will make all the difference between productive uptime and expensive, unnecessary downtime. In this article, we break down when to replace your forklift battery and how to evaluate your power needs and requirements, so you make the best choice for your machines.

Why forklift batteries matter

When it comes to electric forklifts, your battery serves as your fuel tank and power plant. A forklift battery that is undersized, improperly maintained, or nearing the end of its life will not only reduce your run time, but will also impact speed, lifting capabilities, charging, operator productivity, and more. Forklift batteries are critical to your operation, and they typically represent about 30% of your machine’s total cost. For those reasons, when you invest in a high quality forklift battery, you’re also investing in uptime, efficiency, and your equipment’s long term value.

When to replace the batteries in your electric forklifts

No forklift battery will last forever. It’s important to be on the alert for signs that yours has to be replaced, so you can plan accordingly and take action before your performance seriously suffers. Here is what you should watch out for:

• Your forklift can no longer complete its usual shift on one charge, or your run time is noticeably falling.
• Charging time is growing longer, or cooling time is extended.
• The battery shows physical indications of wear: a cracked case, bulging, excessive corrosion, or leaks; we recommend daily inspections to check for these issues.
• Battery maintenance costs or downtime are rising.
• Performance is becoming progressively worse, with slower lift and travel speeds.

Once you start to notice one or more of these signs, call the forklift battery experts at JIT Toyota-Lift. We’ll inspect your batteries, determine if they should be replaced, and help you select the best new option for your needs.

How we evaluate and recommend the right forklift battery replacement

At JIT Toyota-Lift, we take a data driven, consultative approach to assist you with choosing the correct batteries for your electric forklifts. To help us help you, first ask and answer these questions about your fleet:

1. How many shifts do you run per machine?
2. What is the available time between shifts for charging or downtime?
3. How much space do you have for charging?
4. How many amp hours are consumed per shift?
5. What are your budget and long term cost of ownership goals?

Once you answer those questions, here is how we work with you to determine the best forklift batteries for your equipment:

• Fleet and shift audit– We review your electric forklifts, including the make, model, age, and hours of each machine, plus your shift schedule and charging practices and requirements.
• Energy usage analysis– Next, our team conducts a forklift power study to understand your machines’ current energy consumption and how efficiently they are completing the job. We look at run times, idle hours, available charge hours, and the amount of amp hours being used every day.
• Match battery type and size– Based on the power study and your usual charging window, we recommend the optimal kind of forklift battery for your requirements, either flooded wet cell lead acid, sealed lead acid, or lithium ion.
• Suggest the right charger – Using the proper charger for your battery and operational needs is just as important as the battery itself. For example, fast charging or opportunity charging may make sense for multi-shift facilities, but only if your battery and charger are designed for it.  

 We offer the full lineup of Stryten forklift batteries and chargers

When you choose Stryten batteries for your electric forklifts, you’re investing in power solutions that are designed for reliability and performance. We carry a broad selection of their models, so we have the size and type that’s best for each machine in your fleet. We’ll match your Stryten battery to your required capacity, runtime, shift schedule, and charging capabilities. Plus, our team can pair your forklift batteries with Stryten’s advanced chargers, including the EHI and EHY Series, in order to ensure an efficient, tightly controlled charging infrastructure built for multi-shift use.

If you’re ready for forklift battery replacement, contact our team. We will help you make the right choice for your business!