Advice on circular forklift life and lifecycle thinking from Cat® Lift Trucks
Would you like to use your forklifts more efficiently and economically, while reducing their environmental impacts? If so, your strategy should consider the related ideas of circular forklift life and forklift lifecycle thinking.
Circular forklift life
Circular forklift life is about applying the principles of a ‘circular economy’ to materials handling equipment. A circular economy is one in which we keep products and materials in circulation. It replaces the old ‘linear economy’ model. In the linear approach, raw materials are taken, products are made and then the whole lot is ultimately thrown away. That wastes natural resources and energy, as well as money, and generates pollution.
In materials handling, a key aim of the circular economy is to extend lift truck lifetimes. This reduces the need to make new forklifts – which in turn cuts manufacturers’ energy consumption and carbon emissions. To achieve it, trucks must be built with quality and durability in mind. These have always been high priorities in Cat® lift trucks.
Cat forklifts are also designed for easy repair and maintenance, which contributes further to their longevity. It’s worth mentioning that electric forklifts, in general, have fewer components to replace routinely. That’s just one of their sustainability advantages – see our forklift electrification guide for more. And, of course, good proactive and preventive maintenance is important for long life. Cat lift truck dealers are ideally equipped to offer this.
A forklift kept in good condition over a longer lifespan offers extra scope for refurbishment and reuse. After its first application, it may go on to serve new users in second, third or even more lives. Our article on used forklifts has more to say on this topic and advises on how to choose second-hand trucks with confidence.
Throughout a forklift’s life, there will be times when certain components need to be replaced. In the circular economy, used items live again as re-manufactured parts where possible. In the case of Li-ion batteries, there’s an interesting further possibility. After refurbishment for a second life in a used forklift, they may become part of an energy storage system for household or industrial electricity supply.
When a lift truck or a component finally reaches the end of its useful life, its materials should be recycled. Their use in new products avoids the greater environmental impact of manufacturing everything from virgin raw materials.
Cat Lift Trucks is keen to promote and apply circular economy principles, as our Environmental Policy emphasises.
Forklift lifecycle thinking
Forklift lifecycle thinking is about carefully assessing, monitoring and managing the forklift (and fleet) and its use at every stage of its life. That means everything from acquiring it, operating it and maintaining it to eventually disposing of it. By disposal, we mean sending it on for a new life or for recycling of its materials.
Lifecycle thinking begins with choosing exactly the right forklifts and specifications for your application. The expertise of your supplier is crucial here. The next challenge is to use your lift trucks fully and effectively – day after day and year after year. Your continuing forklift management should maintain maximum performance, efficiency and condition in each truck. You will need to make sure they are being operated properly and with due care by your drivers. Correct and optimally timed maintenance is another essential. Lastly, you must decide when the time is right to replace a truck – based on sound information.
Our VISR integrated telematics solution provides the data and insights needed to optimise forklift management in these ways and more. Click here to find out more.
For further practical guidance on a wide range of topics relevant to materials handling, warehousing and logistics:
