The Fork Lift Truck Association has warned businesses that relying on rented lift trucks that failure to take good care of them risks large end-of-contract repair bills.
It said confusion over what constitutes ‘fair wear and tear’ of fork lift trucks is a long-standing issue for the industry. “Disagreements between customers and dealers can quickly lead to costly court cases and damaged reputations all around,” said chief executive Peter Harvey.
The association advises that ‘fair wear and tear’ refers to the degradation of components consistent with manufacturer’s recommended use.
“Damage caused by carelessness or improper use – be it damaged tyres, scratched bodywork or a dented overhead guard – is simply not ‘wear and tear’,” said Harvey.
It has created the Fair Wear and Tear Guide, available through FLTA members, which uses photographic examples of real lift trucks returned at end of contract to shows what is and is not acceptable damage.
