Ring Power Corporation News

Why is your forklift's cooling system maintenance such a hot topic?  

Shift after shift, forklifts can encounter extreme temperature changes and prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals. Operating under these conditions negatively affects the cooling system, often causing corrosion, heat cracking, dry rot, and chemical deterioration. As a result, overheating occurs. Individual forklift cooling system components should be inspected on a regular basis to help minimize downtime and product damage.

1. A low coolant level reduces cooling capability. Coolant also deteriorates chemically over time, leading to damage of cooling system components.

2. Non-OEM rubber hoses often soften and then collapse, reducing coolant flow. As a result, overheating can occur.

3. A forklift with loose belts and worn pulleys can contribute to overheating due to slippage.

4. Clogged, bent or damaged fins can restrict airflow through the radiator core, causing overheating damage to the engine and transmission.

5. Loose or damaged fan blades can cause the fan to be out of balance and vibrate, damaging bearings and radiator.

6. If the radiator tank pressure cap does not maintain the correct pressure, it will not allow the radiator to obtain the proper water flow — which can cause your forklift to overheat.

7. Since the radiator cools transmission fluid, an inefficient or leaking cooling system can result in damage to the transmission.

 Some forklift operating environments or applications may require optional equipment. E-mail Ring Power Lift Trucks for complete details, order parts for your forklift or to schedule a service appointment.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Ocala and Tallahassee. Ring Power Lift Truck represents: Caterpillar® Lift Trucks, Mitsubishi Forklifts, Linde forklifts, Kalmar Industrial Forklifts, Princeton and Navigator piggybacks, rough terrain forklifts by Noble, and specialized products by Bendi, Big Joe and productive Cascade Attachments.

Sometimes what seem to be the most simple tasks can prove to be among the most difficult to complete.
For instance, moving materials at an off road worksite. Whether it’s carrying pallets of bricks in a material storage yard or transporting 20-foot lengths of pipe on a work site, this seeming simple job can be very difficult if the proper equipment isn’t available
A rough terrain forklift easily and efficiently moves materials at an off road site. The machines are typically built using a tractor loader drive-train, so you have the tractive force needed to work in mud, sand slopes and other challenging underfoot conditions.
Rough terrain forklift users include:

• Building and specialty trade contractors
• Energy companies
• Mining
• Loggers
• Lumber yards
• Sod and turf farmers
• Salvage specialists and scrap metal

Rough terrain forklifts maneuver more quickly and are less expensive to rent than other types of equipment that transport materials at off road sites. Maneuverability is key in applications such as a salvage yard, where equipment must operate on uneven surfaces around stacks of material.
The machines are available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models.
When working in mud, sand or in rough terrain, four-wheel drive is the preferred option. Sod growers, for instance, who transport pallets of sod from fields to trucks often choose four-wheel drive to maneuver though muddy fields.
Visit lifttrucks.ringpower.com to see all of our rough terrain forklifts by Lift King and Manitou.
Ring Power Lift Trucks represents these manufacturers of quality material handling equipment throughout the state of Florida and the Southeast: Caterpillar®, Mitsubishi, Linde, Kalmar, Princeton, Navigator, Bendi, Noble, Big Joe and highly productive Cascade Attachments.

Ring Power's St. Augustine branch donated the heavy equipment paint shop's expertise to the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch by offering to restore the charitable organization’s Ford C-Series fire truck. The ranch, which is located in Palatka, Fla., utilizes the fire truck for small brush fires, Boy Scout merit badge training, and to train boys for future public service careers.

The truck had been eaten away by rust, leaving holes in the roof and body. A special thanks to the whole St. Augustine paint shop crew for making the truck look as good as the day it rolled off the assembly line!

If you have Caterpillar^® Service Information System (SIS) or Electronic Technician (E/T) but are not using the software, or not using it properly, you are throwing money away!

Let Ring Power’s Training Department help teach your heavy equipment technicians how to use these diesel engine analysis programs to get the most out of your construction equipment investment; because well-trained technicians will save you valuable equipment downtime and, in turn, save your company money.

Ring Power offers you the highest quality of heavy equipment, diesel engine, hydraulics and electronic training in the construction and power generation industry. We accomplish this through the experience, commitment and qualifications of our Master Trainers, which include both State and Federal Certifications. We offer a wide array of training courses including, but not limited to: hydraulics, electrical, diesel engine, operator safety and many other training courses tailored to your needs!

Ring Power's training programs are designed specifically for your heavy equipment and applications. Your organization’s needs are determined by reviewing where you are and where you want or need to be. The training professional then sets about designing a definitive training program to assist in the achievement of your department’s service technician training goals.

For more information or to arrange a heavy equipment, diesel engine service training course: training@ringpower.com

Phoenix Products, a division of Ring Power Corporation, has some advice for businesses that require on-site fuel storage. Because many companies build aboveground fuel storage tanks,
it is a competitive market. With so many options available for on-site fuel storage tanks, how do you choose?

Common sense says that you should obtain the highest rated tank you can afford. When selecting an aboveground storage tank (AST), ask your insurance company for input because they have an interest in minimizing your liability. Then, contact the local authority having jurisdiction (typically the fire marshal). They will not make specific manufacturer recommendations, but can give specific guidance. Always take a good look at the manufacturer. Even though they may offer an extended warranty of 20 or 30 years, that warranty will be worthless if the manufacturer goes out of business before then. And understand: Just because you may be allowed to install a UL142 tank instead of a UL2085 tank, the savings generated from such a decision won’t begin to pay for the cost of a cleanup. And finally, make sure that you obtain all of the proper approvals, and that you prepare and implement a Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan as required. Failure to prepare an SPCC plan violates federal SPCC regulations (40 CFR Part 112.3[b]) and could cost your business tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars!

Phoenix Products, a division of Ring Power Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of fueling systems for the reciprocating engine power generation industry. Few companies have more experience designing integrated fuel systems and packaging generator sets, whether for standby power, prime power or peak shaving power applications. For more information about Phoenix Products generator set enclosures, fuel tanks and petroleum recycling services, visit www.phoenixprods.com.

The biggest consideration of an electric forklift is the recharging process. A typical battery takes 8 hours to recharge completely and then an additional 8 hours to cool down before it is used. For example, a single charge could last from 3 to 12 hours depending on the application and other factors. If your operation has multiple shifts you may need to purchase additional batteries or, in certain instances, a fast charge system can be used. The fast charge system will reduce the need for additional batteries and potentially eliminates the need for a charging station. A battery-handling station occupies approximately 200 sq. feet or more depending on the number of electric forklifts in your fleet and number of shifts in your operation.

Here are some recommendations to follow when charging the battery of your electric forklift.

Charging Areas - Proper Equipment
All plants should have designated charging areas for their forklifts, especially if they change batteries at the end of each shift. These areas should have proper battery handling equipment including overhead hoists, lifting beams, battery racks and cranes, and the area must be well ventilated.

A source of running water nearby is desirable and a water hose at the filling operation is recommended.

Racks used in the charging area must be insulated to prevent any sparking. The battery rack supports must also be suitably insulated or made of non-conducting material.'

The floors in battery and charging rooms should have an acid-resistant coating and be sloped toward a sump. They should always be washed with clean water after an acid spill. The spill should be neutralized with a non-corrosive, water based neutralizing chemical that is user safe and environmentally compliant.

Hand-operated fire extinguishers should be available in all charging areas even if the areas are equipped with automatic sprinkler systems. For information on extinguisher class, size and mounting locations, consult local fire authorities or your insurance carrier.

Charging Areas - Proper Ventilation
The forklift battery charging area must be properly ventilated, either naturally or with a ventilation system. When installing a ventilation system, a number of factors must be considered, including the number and size of batteries being charged at one time and the size, height and air-tightness of the room

Ventilation is considered satisfactory if the hydrogen concentration does not exceed 2% in anyone location. Concentrations of more than 4% are explosive and dangerous. A number of instruments, such as combustible gas indicators and flammable vapor indicators, are available for continuous automatic analysis of hydrogen content in the air.

Always keep tray covers and truck compartment covers open when charging a battery. This helps cool the battery and disperse the gases.

Connecting/Disconnecting Charger
Always turn the battery charger OFF before connecting or disconnecting a forklift battery. Live leads can cause arcing and sparking, which could cause an explosion if battery gases are present. In addition, the contact surfaces of the plugs or connectors will become pitted over time.

Sparks, Open Flames
Because of the explosive gas mixtures generated while charging batteries, anything that could ignite the gas, such as sparks, open flames, an electrical are, smoking, etc., must be prohibited in the charging areas. To serve as a prominent reminder, "NO SMOKING" signs should be posted in all charging areas.

Visit lifttrucks.ringpower.com to view all of our electric forklifts and contact us for electric forklift batteries, electric forklift battery chargers, and supplies.

Ring Power's Pompano Beach branch held an open house late last week to give customers a chance to tour the new facility and learn more about all the services Ring Power can provide. 150 people from 60 different companies visited the facility, spoke with Ring Power and manufacturers reps, and had lunch. Below is a video walk-thru in case you missed it:

If video doesn't appear - Click Here

  Construction began on the new facility, located at 2700 North Powerline Road, April 2008. Ring Power combined its Pompano Beach Lift Trucks branch (formerly located on Blount Road) and Crane division branch office at the new site. The new facility is located on approximately 5 acres, and features a 52,449-ft2 facility that includes 13,807-ft2 of office space plus an 8,671-ft2 parts warehouse. The service shops includes six lift truck bays and nine crane bays. Constructing the new facility required the demolition of the old Ring Power Crane building.

A fuel filtration system can get your existing fuel back to refinery fresh standards while reducing the chances of an emergency power failure. Phoenix Products' Fuel Recycling Service utlizes a fuel cleaning process involving a continuous sweeping motion along the bottom of the fuel tank or diesel tank; circulating fuel through a closed loop 5-stage filtration system. Fuel is run through a closed loop filter circulating system consisting of three 1-micron bag filters, a 0.5-micron canister filter, oil and water separation through coalescing unit and two water absorption filters and return fuel to the tank.

Scheduled fuel maintenance and testing help to reduce or nearly eliminate fuel contamination. Fuel maintenance filtration removes contaminants and water and returns fuel to conditions where it will provide reliability and efficiency for standby generators when called upon in emergency conditions. Fuel maintenance and testing should begin the day of installation and first fill to establish a benchmark guideline for further comparison. Fuel monitoring and testing services are available nationwide from many different companies.

OUR GOAL
To satisfy all state and federal requirements for Emergency Power Systems and to create a successful fuel management program by providing preventative maintenance.
• Inspect/audit of fuel, fuel tank and equipment
• In-tank visual audit & ASTM Clear & Bright test (samples)
• Service all AST, UST, Sub-Base Tanks, Day Tanks
• Service and maintain gauges & tank monitoring equipment
• Third party lab analysis upon request
• Fuel treatment/stabilizer/inhibitor

Phoenix Products' Petroleum Recycling Service Fuel Quality Assurance Program is a comprehensive, progressive program for the prevention of costly equipment failure and is completed with no interruption of system operation. Contact Phoenix Products and talk to a representative on how we can bring confidence in your system with fuel cleaning, fuel filtration, and fuel tank cleaning.

When Caterpillar announced last year that it would not supply EPA 2010-compliant engines to truck or other on-highway original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the U.S., Ring Power made a bold business decision: to expand truck shop services to include a complete menu of rountine truck services for all brands of on-highway trucks and components—and not just Cat engines.

Now, in addition to truck diesel engine overhauls and other major repairs, Ring Power service technicians routinely perform brake jobs, clutch adjustments, component rebuilds, tune-ups and oil changes, to name just a few of their capabilities. Truck Parts & Service Business Development Manager Scott Miller, who joined the team in November, is helping to implement the new business plan, which targets owners and operators of all makes of commercial trucks from Class 4 through 8 (GVWR 14,001 pounds and up.)

In January, Ring Power became a stockholder in VIPAR Heavy Duty Inc., an exclusive and prestigious on-highway truck parts network that leverages the combined purchasing power of its members to assure long-term profitability, enhance vendor brand equity and increase combined market share. Miller, whose background includes more than 18 years in on-highway truck parts and service, sees this as an important step toward Ring Power’s success in the business. "Being a VIPAR member gives us access to on-highway truck parts suppliers that we might not have been able to do business with on our own," Miller said.

Ring Power parts department managers and parts associates from St. Augustine to Tampa have actively embraced VIPAR network training. On-highway Truck technician training sessions, which began in February, will be held as often as necessary to keep Ring Power diesel truck shop technicians up to speed on all makes of on-highway diesel truck engines and components. With 95 on-highway truck service bays and 73 truck shop diesel technicians at 12 full-service on-highway truck shop locations, Ring Power is poised to take a commanding lead in a viable Florida market. Full service facilities located in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Lake City, Orlando, Ocala, Palm Bay, and Tampa.

RING POWER ON-HIGHWAY DIESEL TRUCK REPAIR SERVICES
Air Compressors
A/C & Heating Systems
Alternators & Starters
Axles, Wheels & Suspensions
Batteries
Body, Cab and Chassis
Brakes
Clutches
Drivelines
Electrical Instruments, Systems & Wiring
Engine Rebuilds
Exhaust Systems
Fuel Lines & System Components
Throttles
Windshields, Wipers & Wiper Motors

ADDITIONAL ON-HIGHWAY TRUCK SERVICES
DOT Inspections
Chassis Vehicle Inspections
Trailer & Cargo Body Undercarriage & Decking
Competitive Engine ECU & Component Diagnostics
Auxiliary Power Units
Contract Towing
Drop-off Service
After-hours Service
Body Shop & Paint Shop at Select Repair Centers
Preferred Maintenance Contracts

Because compact track loaders (CTL) have different undercarriage than skid steer and multi-terrain loaders, an overview of suggested maintenance for Cat® CTL undercarriage will be helpful.

Maintenance Techniques                        

Operating Practices                                   

• Make gradual three-point turns to avoid unnecessary wear. Use counter-rotations only when necessary; for example, in confined areas.
• Working up and down slopes reduces the side-loading wear that occurs when you work across a slope. Keep the heaviest end of the machine uphill.
• Approach transitions (for example, going over a curb) at a 90° angle. Avoid work where a track is not fully supported by the ground.
• When back dragging, keep the full length of the track on the ground and the loader arms in the float position.

Contact your Ring Power Representative to discuss your Cat CTL or other undercarriage needs or email us for more information.