Tom Andel

Some old forklifts never say die

While gathering material for Modern’s October Lift Truck Tips column on “Leasing vs. Buying,” Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks threw me a curve. They just launched a promotion looking for “the oldest Mitsubishi forklift truck still in operation today.” The purpose of this “Keeps on Running” contest is to find forklifts that have “outlived expectations.”

To qualify, contestants must own and currently operate a small Internal Combustion (IC) cushion tire Mitsubishi forklift truck, with a capacity range of 2,000 lbs – 6,500 lbs. Eligible models include the entire FGC10-FGC33 model lineup, the current ‘N’ Generation and all of its predecessors.

Contestants are invited to upload photos and share fun stories about their forklift, including its company-given nickname. Sounds like we’re talking more about pets than forklifts.

Maybe there’s a point to be made here. Do workers get so attached to their forklifts that these machines take on a personality of their own? I guess with the punishment these vehicles can see on the job, maybe operators develop an affectionate respect for their equipment when they wear them down but they keep on rising to the occasion--kind of like Rocky (there’s a good name). You won’t see anyone calling a leased machine “Rocky.”

Affection aside, most lift trucks today are leased. Eric Gabriel, manager of sales operations for Mitsubishi, says that’s not just because of the economy we’re in.

“Our industry is doing a better job selling the benefits of leasing,” he told me. “It goes back to determining the economic life of the lift truck. The key is to design a lease around the customer’s specific equipment and their application so the equipment has a planned replacement at the precise point when the maintenance exceeds the replacement costs. You can structure the lease to fit under your operating budget, freeing up cash.”

Of course some users can make a very good case for ownership. Aside from the possibility of adopting a mascot with a cool name, maybe you have a one-shift operation with a clean environment requiring intermittent forklift use. That economic life may actually extend to ten or twelve years, or 18,000 to 20,000 hours. That’s longer than most people work in one place. Good old Rocky could have three or four close buddies for operators in that time. I can see how a forklift in that kind of “loving” environment – with the right care and feeding -- could live as long as a sea turtle.

On the other hand, leasing does give you the opportunity to play the field, if you know what I mean. New designs and technologies are always under development. Everyone’s talking about what fuel cells will bring to the table. Do you really want to be tied down to an old sea turtle when a fast, efficient young jackrabbit is looking for work?

Again, it all depends on your checkbook and your workplace. If there’s an old Mitsubishi propane forklift named Methuselah still working for you, get him into their contest. Entries will be accepted through November 30, 2008. Winners will be notified in December and awarded in January 2009. Keep this Takeaways blog in the loop if you enter. We'd love to hear some of those stories. After all, Rocky won an "Oscar" for Sly Stallone. Hey those are cool forklift names too.

Posted by Tom Andel on August 6, 2008 | Comments (0)