When purchasing spare parts for electric forklifts, it is essential to comprehensively consider core factors such as compatibility, quality, cost, and after-sales service to avoid equipment failures, safety risks, or additional economic losses caused by improper spare part selection. The following are specific considerations, sorted by priority:
Compatibility is the foundation of spare part selection, directly determining whether the spare parts can be installed and used normally. The following information must be carefully verified:
- The complete model of the electric forklift (e.g., Heli CPD15, Toyota 7FB20) and factory serial number (required by some manufacturers to trace customized components) must be provided. Purchasing based solely on a "general model" should be avoided, as there may be slight differences in spare parts between different batches of the same brand.
- For core components, additional parameters need to be verified:
- For batteries: Confirm the voltage (24V/48V/80V), capacity (Ah), and dimensions (length × width × height).
- For motors: Confirm the power (kW), speed (rpm), and installation dimensions.
- For hydraulic pumps: Confirm the interface specifications and displacement (mL/r).
- Universal parts (e.g., standard-specification bearings, bolts, fuses) can be purchased in accordance with industry standards, but the accuracy grade (e.g., P0/P6 grade for bearings) must be confirmed.
- Specialized parts (e.g., controllers, mast rollers, drive axle assemblies) are mostly customized by forklift manufacturers. Priority should be given to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or brand parts authorized by the original manufacturer. The use of "universal replacement parts" should be avoided, as this may lead to functional failure (e.g., a non-OEM controller may be incompatible with the motor, causing an overload fault).
The quality of spare parts directly affects the safety, stability, and service life of the forklift. Quality can be judged through the following methods:
There are significant differences in quality and cost-effectiveness among different types of spare parts, and the selection should be based on specific needs:
| Type of Spare Part | Characteristics | Application Scenarios |
|---|
| OEM Parts | Produced by the original forklift brand manufacturer, 100% compatible with the equipment, with the highest quality standards, but relatively high prices. | Core safety components (e.g., master brake cylinders, controllers) and key power components (e.g., motors, batteries). |
| Branded Aftermarket Parts | Produced by formal third-party manufacturers (mostly original equipment suppliers), with quality close to that of OEM parts, and prices 10%-30% lower than OEM parts. It is necessary to confirm whether there is manufacturer authorization. | Non-core but frequently used components (e.g., hydraulic hoses, drive wheels, filters). |
| Economical Aftermarket Parts | Produced by small factories, with low prices, but the material and craftsmanship are not guaranteed, and problems such as rapid wear and easy breakage are prone to occur. | Temporary emergency use for non-critical components (e.g., plastic guards, ordinary bolts); long-term use is not recommended. |
| Refurbished Parts | Old parts sold again after repair, with extremely low prices, but the service life is uncontrollable and there are potential safety hazards. | Prohibited for safety-related systems such as braking, hydraulic, and electrical systems; can only be used for decorative parts that have no impact on safety. |
Identifying Quality Through Details
- Checking Appearance: High-quality spare parts have no burrs or scratches on the surface and clear markings (e.g., OEM parts have brand logos, production dates, and qualification marks). Inferior parts are mostly "three-no products" (no manufacturer, no production date, no quality certificate) with unclear markings and rough materials (e.g., metal parts are prone to rust, and plastic parts are prone to deformation).
- Inspecting Core Performance:
- For batteries: Request a capacity test report.
- For hydraulic seals (e.g., cylinder seals): Confirm the material (high-quality ones are made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber, which are oil-resistant and high-temperature resistant; inferior ones are made of ordinary rubber, which are prone to leakage).
- For motors: Check whether the winding insulation layer is intact and free of peculiar odors.
3. Reasonably Controlling "Cost": Avoid "Blindly Buying Expensive Products or Falling into Low-Price Traps"
Cost control should balance the "short-term purchase price" and "long-term use cost" rather than simply pursuing low prices:
Being Alert to "Ultra-Low Price Traps"
If the price of a spare part is much lower than the market average (e.g., the normal price of an OEM battery is 5,000 yuan, but a merchant quotes 2,000 yuan), it is likely to be an inferior or refurbished part. In the later stage, higher costs may be incurred due to frequent replacements and equipment failures (e.g., a low-quality hydraulic pump may leak, causing hydraulic oil loss and damaging the oil cylinder at the same time).
Bulk Purchasing and Inventory Planning
- Frequently Worn Parts (e.g., brake shoes, filters, tires) can be purchased in bulk to obtain manufacturer discounts, but attention should be paid to the shelf life (e.g., the shelf life of batteries is usually 1-3 years, and that of hydraulic oil is 2 years; excessive inventory should be avoided to prevent expiration).
- Infrequently Replaced Parts (e.g., drive axles, mast cylinders) do not need to be kept in stock regularly. Suppliers with in-stock products or short delivery cycles should be selected to reduce inventory backlogs.
Calculating "Total Cost of Ownership"
In addition to the purchase price, the following costs should also be considered:
- Installation cost (whether professional personnel are required for installation).
- Service life (high-quality parts have a service life 3-5 times that of inferior parts, which is more cost-effective in the long run).
- Failure loss (e.g., a faulty low-quality controller may cause downtime, resulting in a loss of thousands of yuan in production capacity per day).
4. Confirming "After-Sales Service": Avoid "No After-Sales Guarantee"
The after-sales service of spare parts directly affects the efficiency of subsequent problem-solving. The following rights and interests must be clearly defined in advance:
Warranty Period and Scope
- Request the supplier to provide a clear warranty commitment. For example, OEM parts usually have a warranty period of 6-12 months, and branded aftermarket parts have a warranty period of 3-6 months.
- Clarify the warranty scope (e.g., whether it covers installation issues and quality failures during normal use, excluding problems caused by man-made damage or improper use).
Return/Exchange Policy and Technical Support
- Confirm the return/exchange policy: For example, if the spare part cannot be used due to compatibility issues, check whether no-reason return/exchange is supported (packaging and documents must be retained).
- Request technical support: For example, check whether the supplier provides installation guidance (e.g., motor wiring diagrams, hydraulic pump installation steps) and whether it can promptly provide maintenance solutions when failures occur, to avoid spare part damage caused by improper installation.
Supplier Qualification and Reputation
- Priority should be given to OEM-authorized distributors or regular suppliers with long-term cooperation. The authorization qualification can be confirmed by checking the manufacturer's official website. Purchasing from "three-no stores" or irregular e-commerce channels should be avoided.
- Refer to other customers' reviews: Understand the supplier's after-sales response speed and problem-solving ability through industry forums and enterprise review platforms, and avoid choosing merchants that "shirk after-sales responsibilities".
5. "Additional Considerations" for Special Components
For some key or special spare parts, additional special inspections are required:
Spare Parts for the Power System (Batteries, Motors)
- Batteries: Confirm whether they are brand-new (not refurbished) and request a factory inspection report. For lithium batteries, confirm the cell brand (well-known brands such as CATL and BYD are more reliable), and avoid "assembled cells".
- Motors: Check for abnormal noise and oil leakage, and request an insulation resistance test report (to prevent motor short circuits due to moisture).
Spare Parts for the Hydraulic System (Hydraulic Pumps, Oil Cylinders, Seals)
- For hydraulic pumps and oil cylinders: Confirm whether they have passed the pressure test and are free of leakage.
- For seals: Select oil-resistant and high-pressure-resistant materials, and avoid using ordinary rubber seals (which are prone to swelling and breaking in hydraulic oil).
Spare Parts for the Electrical System (Controllers, Contactors, Sensors)
- Controllers: They must match the control logic of the forklift (e.g., whether they support regenerative braking and speed regulation modes) to avoid functional loss caused by mismatched models.
- Sensors (e.g., liquid level sensors, temperature sensors): Confirm the accuracy grade to avoid false alarms or failures of the equipment due to inaccurate detection.
Summary
The core principle for purchasing spare parts for electric forklifts is: "Compatibility is the prerequisite, quality is the core, cost is the balance, and after-sales service is the guarantee". Do not choose inferior parts to save short-term costs, nor blindly pursue "using OEM parts for all components". Instead, make rational choices based on the importance of the spare parts (prioritize high-quality parts for safety/core components, and select cost-effective branded parts for non-critical components) and combined with your own needs. At the same time, keep purchase documents and warranty certificates properly to provide a basis for subsequent after-sales service.
