How do I judge a lumber yard’s forklifts, boom trucks and racking?
Ask for each unit’s service history and inspection records, then see it work with a real load. Look at racking for damage and overloading, and check that operators are trained. Have a qualified inspector review the lifting gear and racking before you rely on them.
List every forklift, boom truck and rack system with age, hours and what it does. Ask which unit the yard cannot run without. Request service invoices, inspection records and repair history, and look for repeat problems with hydraulics, masts, tires or brakes. Ask about any accident, tip-over or near miss, and what changed afterwards.
Then see them used. Watch an operator handle a full pack of lumber, listen for noise and look for leaks, worn forks and play in the chains. Check lights, alarms, guards and load charts. For boom trucks, ask about the crane or boom inspections and the licences drivers hold. Gear that looks fine can still be out of date on its inspections.
For racking, look at uprights for dents, loose bolts, missing pins and bent beams. Ask about load ratings and whether anyone checks that bays are loaded within them. Damaged racking is a safety problem and it can be costly to replace. Ask a supplier or engineer to inspect it, and an equipment dealer for quotes on anything near the end. Finally, ask what the replacement plan looks like and whether anything is leased. Leased units may not come with the sale, and a gap in lifting equipment on your first day can stop deliveries.
Key takeaways
- Collect service and inspection records for every unit.
- Watch real loads being handled, and check operator training.
- Have damaged racking and lifting gear inspected by a professional.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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