Lift trucks are important pieces of equipment for many industrial operations. If you and your staff members rely on lift trucks to carry out everyday tasks at your facilities, you need to be well-informed about lift truck use.

The following are six things you shouldn't assume about lift trucks.  

Lift trucks don't need any maintenance.

If you want to make sure that your lift trucks are operating efficiently and safely, you need to perform routine maintenance on them. Have your lift trucks regularly inspected. Check for fluid leaks and make sure that parts are properly lubricated to avoid malfunctions. 

It's never absolutely necessary to invest in a lift truck.

Sometimes investing in lift trucks is not optional if you want to get certain work tasks done at your facility. Your staff members won't be able to complete tasks that require too much heavy lifting without equipment such as lift trucks. It's also important to realize that investing in lift trucks can significantly increase the productivity of your industrial operation even for tasks that your staff technically could handle without lift trucks.

Specialized training is not required before a staff member operates a lift truck.

Proper training is essential if you want your staff members to be able to operate lift trucks safely and effectively at your facility. Make sure that you develop a complete training program that employees must finish before they begin operating your facility's lift trucks. 

A lift truck is the same thing as a forklift.

While lift trucks and forklifts are similar, there are some key differences between these two types of industrial equipment that you should be aware of. The biggest difference between lift trucks and forklifts is that lift trucks are smaller and more easily maneuverable in tight spaces. 

You don't need to charge an electric lift truck very frequently.

If you're using electric lift trucks at your facility, you should get into the habit of charging them regularly when they're not in use. The battery on an electric lift truck probably won't last a long time when a lift truck is getting a lot of use. Plugging in electric lift trucks to charge after they've been used can ensure that you always have lift trucks ready to go when you need them. 

You don't need to insure your facility's lift trucks.

Don't forego insurance coverage on your lift trucks because you think that they're not large or valuable enough to require coverage. It's essential that your commercial insurance policy covers the value of your lift trucks and any liability expenses your company may face as a result of lift truck operations.

Contact a local equipment supplier to learn more about lift trucks for sale.