9 Forklift Battery Care Tips

At Shoppa's Mid America, we want to make sure your electric lifts are working at optimum performance by providing you with the tools and service to keep your lift truck battery maintained properly. We understand the need for a reliable lift truck in order to be more competitive in tougher working environments. The ability to work alongside traditional lift trucks, yet doing so in an economically cleaner way, has made electric forklifts a preferred choice in the industry.

Battery Care Tips

In any application, proper care can greatly extend the life of your battery. Here are nine tips to getting the most out of your battery by spending just a few minutes a week.

1 Follow Instructions 
Get started right. Many a battery has had its potential life reduced before it was even started because somebody did not follow directions, and the same goes for chargers. Simple, low-maintenance chargers are available but must be used properly.

2 Make Sure Connections Are Sound 
A loose connection can cause dangerous arcing or sparking. It can also create a power-robbing, high-resistance connection. Play it safe and double check connections periodically.

3 Water Regularly After Charging 
Add water after charging. Charging increases the electrolyte level in cells and can cause overflowing if watered before charging. Overflow of electrolyte can corrode the battery tray, the battery compartment in the truck and other metal surfaces it contacts, besides decreasing the output of your battery. 

4 Keep It Clean 
Batteries should be kept clean and dry. Brush or wash off any dirt that may accumulate. If electrolyte is spilled on the top of the battery, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and a low-pressure supply of clean water. 

5 Don't Lay Tools On Top 
Battery gases are explosive. Short circuits can cause sparks, which may result in an explosion and possible damage to covers and jars. If a short does occur, check the shorted cells immediately before the battery is put back in service. 

6 Keep Vent Plugs In Place 
Vents allow gas to escape, and they keep foreign objects from accidentally falling into the cell. Remove vent plugs only to add water or to take hydrometer readings. Otherwise, keep securely in place. 

7 Keep It Cool 
A normal charge can increase the temperature of a battery by 15 degrees or more. Usually, this is not a problem. But, if you’re using your battery around a furnace or if your charger room is hot, it can be an issue. If that is the case, charge the battery in a room that is cool and well ventilated. 

8 Don’t Overcharge 
Don’t let anybody kid you—No amount of overcharging can increase battery capacity. Here are some signs of charger trouble: (1) Unusual rise in battery temperature after an eight-hour charge (anything over a 25-degree increase in charge). (2) Continuous running of charger. (3) Continuous running at a high rate. Talk to us about switching to an automatic stop/start (“smart”) charger. 

9 In Case of An Accident 
Check a battery thoroughly if it is involved in an accident. If it's damaged, fix it properly since a damaged battery can continue to deteriorate even when not in use.

Let Shoppa's Mid America be your one-stop-shop for backing up your investment with our battery washing and preventative maintenance programs, as well as our trained technicians who are ready to properly handle your battery needs.

Why Purchase an Electric Pallet Truck, Stacker or Tugger

The material handling industry categorizes forklifts into various classes. The Class III product includes a variety of electric motor lift trucks that are either walk-behind or standing-rider operated, such as:

• Electric pallet trucks, or jacks
• Walkie stackers
• Tuggers

Let’s focus on the walk-behind or “walkie-rider” style of electric pallet trucks. Having an electric pallet truck allows companies to move product that is not required to be stacked within its warehouse. Regardless of the manufacturer, this category of lift trucks carries a smaller price tag. While oftentimes the savings is enough, many companies find additional benefits to using an electric pallet truck.

Benefits of using an electric pallet truck

Fits your budget … If stacking product is not a requirement, an electric pallet truck may fit the needs of your application. On average, an electric pallet truck offers a savings of 65% compared to a similar capacity sit-down forklift.

Reduces your manual pallet truck fleet … Purchasing one electric pallet truck can replace several manual pallet trucks. While manual pallet trucks are inexpensive in initial cost, the lost productivity can easily justify a powered pallet truck.

Uses electric power … The use of electric power versus internal combustion powered forklifts offers the advantages of quieter operation and lack of fumes. This can be especially important if your operator is moving product in an enclosed area. Electric product also has lower operating and maintenance expenses when compared to internal combustion forklifts.

Better ergonomics … Having the product lifted and propelled by a powered motor instead of the operator reduces the back strain and fatigue experienced by operators of manual pallet trucks. Your company may experience a reduction of reported injuries.

Shoppa's Mid America is currently running a special on Toyota 7HBW23 Electric Pallet Trucks!

Happy Holidays from Shoppa's Mid America!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Temporary Tax Cut - IRS Section 179 Deduction & Bonus Depreciation Ends December 31st

If you are considering the purchase or lease of equipment, now is the time to act. You may be able to lock in accelerated deductions by buying qualifying new and used equipment. We recommend that you review this information with your tax and financial advisors to determine your actual savings.

ACT NOW IRS SECTION 179 DEDUCTION & BONUS DEPRECIATION ENDS DECEMBER 31ST!

2012 Deduction Limit
Section 179 Deduction limit after adjustment for inflation has increased to $139,000.

2012 Limit on Capital Purchases
Section 179 Threshold for total of equipment has increased to $560,000.

2012 Bonus Depreciation
The law allows 50% "Bonus Depreciation" on an unlimited amount of qualified assets. Applies to new equipment only.

Hurry these incentives end December 31st. Request a quote from Shoppa's Mid America today. We have a HUGE IN-STOCK INVENTORY of forklifts, reach trucks, pallet jacks, scissor lifts, industrial floor cleaning equipment, and more! Visit our website for more information.

Toyota Launches New Interactive Fuel Efficiency App

Smartphone, iPhone and Tablet-Enables App Helps Users Analyze Fuel Savings and Productivity on the Go

Toyota, the supplier for the No. 1 selling lift truck in North America, launched its Toyota Forklift Fuel Efficiency Calculator application (app) to help users estimate fuel efficiency savings and performance for their forklift fleet. The interactive Forklift Fuel Efficiency Calculator is available on iPhones, smartphones, iPads and Android tablets.

“Mobile phones and tablets are an extension of the workplace. This app makes perfect sense to provide businesses with instant access to their potential forklift fleet fuel savings, productivity and efficiency gains,” said Trent Turner, Sales Manager at Shoppa’s Mid America.

The free downloadable app provides users with the ability to enter their detailed material handling specification. The calculator measures a number of user-specific variables including fuel efficiency, run times per cycle and speed advantage per cycle.

The app then breaks out the detailed fuel efficiency user specs into the following data options:

·         Fuel gallons per hour per unit

·         Run time improvement per LPG tank

·         Speed advantage per cycle

·         Average time per cycle

Download the Toyota Forklift Fuel Efficiency Calculator App:      iPhone     Android     Online Version

If you would like more information on the Toyota product line, contact Shoppa’s Mid America today!

Keep Out the Cold This Winter

As temperatures drop, your dock doors need special maintenance to get them ready for the upcoming winter season. Shoppa's Mid America can winterize your loading dock with our preventative maintenance tune-ups!

14 POINT DOCK DOOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP

• Check operation of dock door
• Inspect and lubricate springs
• Adjust springs (if necessary)
• Inspect shaft/tighten coupler
• Lubricate shaft bearings
• Inspect cable drums
• Inspect cables
• Inspect and lubricate rollers
• Inspect and lubricate hinges
• Inspect and lubricate brackets
• Inspect track mounting brackets or welds
• Inspect and clean track
• Inspect and lubricate chain hoist and sprocket
• Inspect lock for proper seal

Only $65.00* each, an additional $25.00 for doors over 12x12

5 POINT DOCK LEVELER PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP

• Clean out pit
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Inspect all chains and cables
• Inspect brush seal
• Inspect all warning lights, horns, etc. (if necessary)

Only $65.00 each

Contact Shoppa's Mid America today to learn more about protecting your dock doors from the harsh winter cold, or SCHEDULE YOUR WINTERIZATION SERVICE now!

Planned Maintenance Can Save Your Company More than Money

Being on a PM Program Offers Reliability and Efficiency for Your Fleet

Many people do not know the proper definition of Planned Maintenance. Planned Maintenance (PM) is often misunderstood and thought of as just a regular oil change or grease job. But in fact, it is the most vital service available to lift truck users.

Planned Maintenance programs are well worth your investment for your forklifts. A proper PM program provides many benefits including:

·         Aiding in the protection of equipment life

·         Providing safety, operational and visual inspections

·         Increasing uptime and productivity

·         Reduces “emergency” downtime

·         Increases trade-in value

A proper Planned Maintenance program can save thousands of dollars in maintenance costs over the life of a forklift. Factor in the added cost of lost productivity, calling for service, and the scramble to get the job done during downtime, and your operating costs can go through the roof.

At Shoppa’s Mid America, we pride ourselves not only on offering the best equipment available, but also giving you the best possible aftermarket service available. We have developed individual maintenance programs to make it easier than ever to maintain your equipment.

The Shoppa’s PM commitment includes quick scheduling, proper customer notification, extensive and carefully performed work by a service professional, neat and understandable paperwork, a thorough verbal explanation by the mechanic, and clean-up after the job. A written quotation of any recommended work will be presented by a customer service representative. When authorized, the additional repairs will be completed in a prompt professional manner.

“In today’s economy, companies need to operate more cost effectively by actively controlling costs,” says Scott Witt, Corporate Aftermarket Manager at Shoppa’s. “One way is to have a Planned Maintenance program on your forklift equipment. It also provides excellent record keeping and budget information on operating costs.”

Scott adds, “At Shoppa’s, we stress the many benefits of our PM program to meet your company’s needs. Our PM programs are based on action, not reaction. We strive to find minor mechanical failures before they become major mechanical problems. Our goal is to reduce your overall cost per hour to operate your forklift equipment.”

Visit our service page to learn more about how our PM programs can benefit your company, or contact a Shoppa’s Mid America customer service representative today!