Ring Power Corporation News

For the second consecutive year, Ring Power Lift Trucks, Florida’s premier material handling equipment and forklift dealer, earned Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift of America’s (MCFA) prestigious Dealer of Excellence award.

“This award recognizes our commitment to providing the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction in parts, service and sales operations,” said Ring Power Lift Trucks VP, General Manager, Robert Burkhead.  We’re thrilled to receive this prestigious honor.”

MCFA utilized customer feedback, market share measurements and several support measurements to determine this year’s Dealer of Excellence winners. Customer satisfaction and employee training were given the most weight.

In addition to the Dealer of Excellence award, Kalmar recently named Ring Power Lift Trucks as a Premier Partner, for a second consecutive year. Like the Dealer of Excellence award, the Premier Partner status is based on sales volume, market share, customer satisfaction and training metrics.

About Ring Power Lift Trucks
Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift and material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ocala and Tallahassee. For more information on Ring Power Lift Trucks, visit lifttrucks.ringpower.com

In today’s economy, controlling the spiraling costs associated with buying and maintaining equipment can be an important part of staying profitable.

Too often, equipment purchasing decisions are viewed as an unenviable dilemma: pay a premium for a new machine or deal with the long-term added service costs of buying used.

However, reductive thinking such as this can easily lead to paying too much when a less-expensive machine will do. Taking the time to research your purchase beforehand is essential. When it comes to used heavy equipment, knowing how to shop smartly will allow you to choose a machine that will deliver a lifetime of reliable performance at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

About Ring Power

When it comes to buying new or used construction equipment, no one in Florida understands the needs of today’s construction companies, mining and agribusiness operators, building managers and other small, medium and large contractors better than Ring Power. Since 1962, Ring Power has been a vital ally to anyone in the market for Cat^Ò heavy equipment throughout the state and beyond.

With 26 locations in the southeast region, there’s no better partner to a growing business of any size. When you trust Ring Power for your new or used equipment needs, you benefit from:

Genuine Cat quality — As the legendary brand’s only representative in north and central Florida, Ring Power offers factory authorized repairs and exclusive service programs, such as the Cat Scheduled Oil Sampling (SOS) protocol. What this means is that your purchase will be maintained to the highest standards and will continue to deliver exceptional performance for as long as you own it.

The largest parts inventory — Ring Power maintains one of the largest inventories of Cat equipment parts in the southeast United States. Whether you need repairs or scheduled maintenance, we can quickly provide the items you need to minimize disruption to your fleet.

24-hour service — When an unexpected issue is threatening your productivity, only Ring Power can provide emergency repairs to the high standards set by the Cat brand. Our team of field technicians is available around the clock for service that gets you back up and running quickly. With more than 600 field service vehicles, there’s no repair, maintenance or diagnostic issue we can’t handle. One call to our toll-free number is all it takes to get a team dispatched to your location.

To find out more about what Ring Power can do for you, or to view our current inventory of new and used heavy equipment, contact a location near you today.

Why Buy Used?

The most obvious benefit to buying used construction equipment is the lower purchase price. When buying used, fleet owners can afford a higher caliber of machine than they would otherwise be able to afford if they were limited to new. This translates to increased productivity, greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs overall. Some of the other benefits of buying used construction equipment include:

• 

  Avoiding depreciation — Depreciation schedules for used construction equipment aren’t linear. That means resale values don’t continue to depreciate at the same rate over time. While most machines will lose between 20-40% of their value within a year of being purchased, values remain relatively stable following that — as long as all major components are well-maintained. When you buy a machine that’s more than a year old, you effectively save this initial depreciation while still getting something that’s relatively new and good for a lifetime of use.
• Resale value — Due to the uneven depreciation schedules of most construction equipment, a machine bought used will retain a large portion of its value if serviced properly. Be sure to keep records of all repairs and preventative maintenance, as these will increase your equipment’s resale potential.
• Similar technology — Historically, the heavy equipment industry has been slow to adopt new technologies. This means that the important components of a given piece of machinery, on a year to year basis, are relatively unchanged. By buying used, you will save money while still getting a machine that’s well equipped to handle the challenges of the future.
• Available warranties —  Most reputable used equipment dealers, such as Ring Power, offer comprehensive warranties, preventative maintenance plans, and other service agreements for all used construction equipment. This means you can shop with confidence knowing your purchase will be backed up by a reputable team you can trust to deliver on their promises.
• Easier training — While the nuts and bolts of a used tractor, used dozer, used skid steer loader or other machine are unlikely to vary significantly, certain changes from year to year — particularly those relating to control systems — may require time-consuming retraining of your staff. Buying used allows you to purchase a machine your team is already comfortable with, so you can maintain productivity even as you upgrade your fleet.
• No wait times — The training issue speaks to a larger concern when buying both new and used equipment for construction. We all know that time is money, and for most owner/operators, the expense of purchasing any machine will need to be offset by a quick return to full productivity. When buying new, delivery times can run to weeks or even months, particularly if additional work tools or other modifications are required. By buying used, you get a machine that is ready to be put into service immediately.

Is used construction equipment automatically a better value than new? Not always. For many contractors, buying new equipment represents an important investment in the future of their business. However, automatically dismissing a used machine as more expensive to operate and maintain can be a costly mistake. As with all things, exercising due diligence when shopping for machinery is essential. By looking critically at the value new machinery brings vs. the lower cost of buying used, you will be better positioned to evaluate your needs and make the best purchase decision for the long term.

The key to making a successful long-term decision involves knowing what to look for when shopping for used Cat equipment. We’ve gone into depth and created a general used construction equipment buying guide that will allow you to do just that.

How to Value Used Construction Equipment

Whether you’re in the market for used construction equipment, used agricultural equipment or any other heavy machinery, your primary consideration is likely to be purchase price. When setting your budget, you should consider how you will arrange financing, what the long-term implications of an equipment lease will be to your operating budget, and what the anticipated operating costs will be for a given piece of equipment.

Obviously, your goal should be to choose the machine that will offer the best long-term value. While there are clear advantages to paying extra for a newer or better-equipped machine, exceeding your budget by too much can limit your ability to grow going forward. When setting a budget, ask yourself:

How long do I plan on using this machine? How will it fit into my long-term business plan? Is buying outright really the best decision, or should I consider renting?

• Will my purchase meet the future needs of my business? Is there a realistic potential for growth in expanding my fleet?

• What will the operating costs be? Will future upgrades be required to meet emissions or other regulatory guidelines?

• What will be required to train staff? Who will use this new machine, and what are the occupational health implications of expanding my fleet?

• How will I service my purchase? Are my in-house technicians properly equipped to perform required maintenance and repairs, or will I have to outsource mechanical work?

A hard look at these and other important questions is essential to thinking broadly about your used equipment needs.

Knowing What to Pay

Unlike cars and on-highway trucks, there’s no particular resource for pricing heavy equipment. Because of the high degree of customizability for individual machines, those in the market for a used asphalt paver, used crane truck or other piece of heavy equipment can’t simply turn to the equivalent of the Kelly Blue Book for high and low values.

A few online resources, including the Equipment Watch Green Guide and Fastline, will make your search easier. However, neither can be considered a comprehensive or authoritative used heavy equipment price guide. (The Green Guide, in particular, requires a $1900 annual subscription fee, limiting its usefulness to all but dealers and auction houses.)

When you’re shopping for used heavy equipment, the only way to be sure you’re getting a fair deal is to do the research yourself. Prices for different machines can vary considerably from region to region. Check with your local used construction equipment dealer and account for any additional work tools or other upgrades you may need to configure a machine to your specific purposes.

For in-depth assistance, contact a Ring Power representative today.

Factors Affecting Purchase Prices

Knowing how to value used construction equipment is an inexact science. A number of different factors will affect the price a given machine will command on the market — often in unpredictable ways. When performing market research or shopping for a used machine, bear in mind the impact the following factors can have on pricing:

The value of used construction equipment does not depreciate evenly over time. Instead, about a year after purchase, depreciation slows and values remain relatively consistent provided the machine stays in good condition. At this point, the number of hours on the machine begins to play a larger role in determining resale values. An older machine with low hours that has been properly maintained will fetch more than one that shows its age more evidently.

It should come as no surprise that the manufacturer’s reputation plays a large role in determining the value of used construction equipment. One of the reasons why Cat equipment holds its value so well is because of the company’s Certified Rebuild program. Thanks to modular components that can be reconditioned, rebuilt or replaced, Cat machines have a built-in “second life” that will continue to deliver productivity for years to come.

The ability to do more in the field is an important selling point for any piece of used heavy equipment. It only makes sense that a machine that is better equipped will command a higher price than a bare-bones model. However, it’s important to remember that additional features will require additional maintenance and increased training time — don’t be swayed by bells and whistles that won’t add long-term value to your fleet.

The vendor selling a used machine can play an important role in determining its market value — especially when compared to the uncertainty of buying from an unknown vendor. For example, many of the used generators, skid steer loaders and other equipment for sale at Ring Power have been sourced from our rental fleet. As a result, individual units have a detailed service history verifying that all regular maintenance has been performed to the highest standards. A reputable used Cat equipment vendor will also allow potential buyers to inspect and test equipment, and will back up everything they sell with some level of warranty support.

You don’t need a degree in economics to know that shifting market conditions play a role in how the value of a used construction machine or generator is determined. A slow economy means less money is being spent on construction and infrastructure development. In turn, this means fewer potential purchasers for used machines, which drives down prices and gives buyers more room to negotiate. Seasonal and location-specific variations can also have an impact on certain machines — during peak local construction and logging times, used heavy equipment will be in greater demand and will command higher prices.

Renting vs. Buying: Understanding Operating Costs

With the many factors that determine how to value used construction equipment, many fleet owners opt for the more stable costs associated with renting, particularly for short-term or one-off projects.

Is renting a better option for your business? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think. For an in-depth look at the bottom line costs associated with renting and owning used construction equipment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes a comprehensive Construction Equipment Ownership and Operating Expense Schedule that can be useful. The guide offers region-specific methodology for determining the operating costs of different types of heavy equipment, including local gas and diesel prices, electricity costs, import, tax and freight rates, and more. You’ll be able to determine hourly operating costs, which can then be referenced against rental rates to determine the best overall option for a one-off job.

Making a Smart Purchase

Once you have identified your equipment needs and settled on a budget that’s both realistic for the type of machine you want and within your means, you can begin the process of looking at potential purchases. Here, again, some research and a critical eye will be essential allies when making a decision.

To ensure you get a machine that delivers reliable performance and a solid return on your investment, you need to know a potential purchase is both mechanically and structurally sound. Any reputable used heavy equipment vendor will allow you to perform a thorough inspection before making a decision.

• Cab — Operator comfort and visibility are important considerations when inspecting the cab of any used machine. A well-designed and well-maintained cab means greater productivity, lower training costs and less time spent on rework. Some features to look for include adjustable seat height, back and lumbar support, armrests, steps, hand rails and adjustable, well-laid out controls.

If you have the opportunity to try out the machine, check for visibility, vibrations through the seat or floor, noise and temperature levels, and any reflections, glares or other distractions. While many of these things may seem like minor nuisances at first, try to imagine yourself working an eight hour shift in the machine — what factors will impede your comfort and productivity over the course of the day? Can they be easily fixed or altered to provide a better user experience? If not, would a different machine be better suited to the task?

• Chassis — A visual inspection of a machine’s chassis can tell you a lot about its condition. Look closely for evidence of leaks, particularly in the engine compartment, around hydraulic components and near any other hoses, pumps and rams. Check for parts that have been welded or other indications of a prior repair, particularly by sprockets, tracks, locks and arms.

Get underneath the machine and inspect the undercarriage for damage, repairs or worn parts that will require replacing. Make sure you look for cracked windows and other cosmetic damages that haven’t been fixed. While a well-used machine can be expected to display some wear and tear, the presence of potential safety hazards that are left unaddressed can indicate a lack of upkeep.

• Engine/transmission — The engine and transmission are two of the most important components of any machine, so it pays to do your due diligence and thoroughly inspect both for signs of wear. If necessary, bring along an experienced operator who knows what to look for.

Start the engine and listen for any abnormal noises, look for smoke, and check to ensure all gauges are working properly and no error messages come up. Put the transmission into gear and see how smoothly it goes. Move the machine forwards and backwards, and listen for any squeaks or noises that may indicate worn-out rollers or other components. Lastly, step outside the machine and make sure exhaust emissions are properly vented and that all moving parts, hot surfaces and other potential safety hazards are guarded.

• Hydraulics/work tools — While hydraulic cylinders can be rebuilt or replaced, doing so is often expensive and time-consuming. Knowing of any issues beforehand will help you make a more informed purchase decision. Look for leaks and worn seals in the pump compartment and along the swing bearing. Check for excessive play or other control issues that may indicate a history of improper use. Inspect all included work tools for wear issues, such as scalloping in excavator buckets. If you plan on purchasing additional attachments, make sure the machine has the necessary hydraulic lines to support them, if applicable.
• Tracks/tires — Replacing work tracks and tires can be expensive. Check for any missing bolts or tracks on track-type machines. Check tires for bulges or cracks, both of which are common on machines that are stored outside. Bring a tread gauge to determine wear on tires. Tires that are worn unevenly may indicate suspension or drivetrain issues on certain machines. Visit the tire manufacturer’s website to check replacement requirements and costs. While this information should be included on any inspection report provided to you by the vendor, it’s important to double check for yourself to be sure.

Ultimately, your experience and intuition as an owner/operator is essential when shopping for used machinery. Be sure to ask questions and bring along other team members with expertise in a given piece of equipment. The more trustworthy eyes you have on a potential purchase, the more informed you will be about its overall condition and future maintenance costs.

The Importance of Diagnostics and Service Histories

Evidence of regular maintenance is one of the most important roles in determining the value of used construction equipment. A machine that has been treated well will have fewer problems in the long term, making it worth paying extra for initially.

Ask to see all maintenance records and confirm that the engine, transmission, hydraulics, suspension and other parts have been maintained according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Take note of any major repairs that were performed, particularly if they appear to recur in a specific problem area.

While newly-replaced parts can be an important selling point, they may also indicate a history of improper use or neglect. Ask both why a repair was performed and how it was done — the use of OEM parts and the following of manufacturer’s repair vs. replace guidelines all indicate an appropriate level of care has been taken.

One indicator that due care has been taken with a machine’s maintenance is a record of regular oil analysis, such as the Cat Scheduled Oil Sampling (SOS) protocol. The presence of metal particulates in a machine’s engine and hydraulic oil indicates wear on replaceable components. Tracking levels of different metals provides a key insight into the condition of these parts over time. While oil sampling is most effective when performed at regular intervals, it can also be helpful as part of a pre-purchase inspection. Ask that a full report and analysis be provided before making any decision to buy.

Contact Ring Power for Used Construction Equipment in Central Florida

Like any major purchase or business decision, buying used construction equipment requires a careful consideration of your needs, both now and in the future. By partnering with Ring Power, you’ll gain a trusted ally who will work with you to select the machine that delivers the most value for your purchasing dollar. If you’re in the central or northern Florida area, contact one of our 26 locations for immediate assistance with all your used construction equipment needs.

The past several days have been an exciting adventure for Ring Power. Friday, Ring Power joined OCEARCH in downtown Jacksonville where they held a press conference detailing the Caterpillar-sponsored research Ocearch will be completing during next several weeks as they attempt to catch and tag great white sharks off the coast of Jacksonville. On hand Friday was Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, the OCEARCH crew, Caterpillar representatives and college students from around the region. Cat recently announced a multi-year partnership with OCEARCH for to fund several research expeditions.

At the same time as the Jacksonville event, Ring Power’s Air Compressor team was at the Daytona International Speedway for Daytona Speedweeks. The Air Compressor team worked closely with NASCAR R&D to develop a new track drying system. The new system, Air Titan, utilizes compressed air to dry the track in record time.

Back in Jacksonville, Ring Power’s Cat Rental Store team and Heavy Equipment Rental team were hard at work setting-up for Monster Jam. The event held at Everbank Field on Saturday attracted thousands of fans.

SWAT teams from around Northeast Florida conducted training drills with The Rook Armored Critical Incident Vehicle in Ponte Vedra, Fla., Jan. 23.

The Rook Armored Critical Incident Vehicle is designed and manufactured by Ring Power's Tactical Solutions division.

The valuable training allowed area law enforcement the opportunity to experience The Rook in action and train for emergency situations.

The training took place at an old shopping center that is slated to be demolished and rebuilt. Since it was already going to be destroyed,  law enforcement officials were granted use of the property to train — and do some damage.

The Rook utilizes a powerful Cat 287C Multi-Terrain Loader with an 84 gross HP engine, 13,000 lbs. operating weight, rugged wide rubber tracks, dual joystick controls and an enclosed cab. It is equipped with custom installed bullet-proof glass and NIJ Level IV armor cab reinforcement fabrication.

SWAT Teams practiced entering a second story building using The Rook’s Armored Deployment Platform. The ADP can be raised to 11 feet, allowing officers to gain entry to a second story building without having to work their way up the stairs. The ADP is equipped with four locking gun ports, four bullet proof glass sight ports, and video cameras attached to the front of the platform with video feed to the equipment operator.  

SWAT Teams also practiced using the standard Hydraulic Breaching Ram attachment. The HBR delivers 6,500 psi of pressure and much more power than a traditional hand-carried ram. It can be used to breach block walls, reinforced steel doors, wood and concrete, and windows protected by burglar bars. The ram is equipped with four low-light video and one infrared forward view cameras recessed into the end – one on each side and one in front-giving the operator a 360° view of the breaching area. The video images are transmitted to the viewing screen inside the cab with the operator.

The Grapple Claw attachment was also used during the training. The GC and can be utilized to gain access to attics where suspects might be trying to hide or seek protection from ground level exposure. With 4,500 lbs. of lifting capacity, use of the grapple claws in removing fortified doors, burglar bars, or exterior shrubbery can simplify access for armed officers. The grapple claw also aides in disaster relief efforts with the ability to remove debris from streets for emergency responders’ access.

For more information on The Rook, click here or contact Shaun Mitchell at 904.494.7636.

The Rook [Armored Critical Incident Vehicle designed and manufactured by Ring Power's Tactical Solutions department] is being showcased as Police Magazine's Product of the Month! Visit their website and let us know what you think!

For additional information, including The Rook product brochure, click here or contact Shaun Mitchell at 904.494.7636.

Another material transfer vehicle by Weiler expands Ring Power’s line of paving equipment.

The new Weiler E2850 Remixing Material Transfer Vehicle (MTV) is more powerful, has more capacity and includes an exclusive paving material remix hopper. The Weiler E2850 is available for sale and for rent at any of our Ring Power north and central Florida locations.

Weiler improved upon their current MTV, re-named E1250A, with a simplified clean-out and multiple drop-out floors.

What is a paving material transfer vehicle?
Operating in front of the asphalt paver, material transfer vehicles move paving material from the dump truck, up and into the hopper of the paver, allowing for virtually continuous non-stop paving. Several advantages for paving companies to use MTVs include continual non-stop paving, reducing truck waiting time at the paving site, reduced temperature differentials of paving material and increased rideability.

What are the benefits of using an MTV?
For starters, utilizing an MTV in any asphalt paving project is the ability for increased production by allowing non-stop paving. Material Transfer Vehicles also minimize material segregation by re-blending the asphalt material inside the hopper. Additional benefits of incorporating an MTV on a paving  jobsite are…
– minimize thermal segregation by blending together cold and hot asphalt in the hopper.
– increase ride quality   
– decrease trucking requirement
– maintain consistent paver operation
– ability to tailor paving needs to the job

Interested in renting an MTV?
Renting an MTV could increase your bottom line. By renting, you know your costs upfront with no large capital expenditure upfront. And Ring Power’s asphalt transfer vehicles are ready when you are with no idle time between jobs.

Weiler E2850 Remixing Material Transfer Vehicle
Weiler’s new E2850 Remixing Material Transfer Vehicle is powered by a Cat 300 hp C-9 and has an exclusive material remix hopper with 25 tons of on-board storage. The hydraulically extendable operator’s console allows for better site visibility. Ring Power now offer’s the Weiler E2850 for rent with very competitive rates. Call 904-737-7730 or email for details.

Ring Power is the exclusive Caterpillar dealer in Central and Northeast Florida, is headquartered in St. Augustine, Florida. Ring Power is comprised of eight divisions and has more than 45 years of experience selling, servicing and supporting Caterpillar and allied paving equipment.

Additional information about the Ring Power, its products, services and employment opportunities can be found on the Internet at www.ringpower.com.

When you call for forklift service, be sure to be on the look out for Ring Power Lift Trucks' bold new look. Our forklift service vans and trucks have new graphics turning these service trucks into rolling billboards!

Our forklift customers have been very receptive and have provided extremely positive responses.

"A picture is worth a thousand words," exclaimed Forklift Service Operations Manager Howard Donaway. "It's now obvious that Ring Power is the place to go for forklift service!"

See our forklift parts and service vans and trucks and all of our other forklifts on our photo-sharing site at Flickr.com. See more of our forklift-related images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ring-power-lift-trucks/

Ring Power Lift Trucks is a complete forklift parts and service provider with factory-trained technicians, capable of complete forklift engine rebuilds and overhauls on all makes and models of forklifts. Our highly qualified service technicians are ready to work for you from any of our strategically located offices throughout Florida, servicing Miami, Pompano Beach, Sarasota, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Ocala, Gainesville, and Tallahassee.

No matter what size company, you’re bound to encounter items in your warehouse or jobsite that won’t be used on a regular basis. And these items could represent a sizable financial investment. One example is your forklift. Renting a forklift, either short or long-term, may make better economic sense, offer more financial flexibility, and protect your credit in these uncertain times.

Economic Savings
The cost for renting a forklift is typically far less than the cost of buying a forklift outright, particularly when you will just use it for a job here and there. Even if the forklift is for long-term usage, the benefits of a long-term rental may outweigh the costs of a forklift, maintenance and parts. A forklift rental is a fixed cost and is an easily budgetary item.

In addition, even if the actual cost ends up being about the same as buying the item, you will be able to preserve your cash flow. You won’t need to come up with thousands of dollars to purchase the item, but rather just a few hundred for the first day, month, or week of renting it. You can then put your working capital to work for your business, market your product, and grow your income.

In addition, you may be able to deduct the cost of renting items from your business's tax return. This adds even more savings into the equation, as you will lower your tax liability when April 15th comes around. See your tax advisor for details.

Flexibility
Forklift rental provides flexibility for your business as well. As your business grows and changes, its needs will change as well. By leasing these large-ticket items, you can upgrade or downgrade as your business needs change without a huge financial loss.

Whether you need an extra forklift to do inventory, perform a special project or many forklifts to handle extra shipments during a busy season, we offer a comprehensive selection of rental forklifts in a variety of power, capacity and tire arrangements.

Protecting Credit
If you choose to purchase large items for your business, due to your cash flow limits you will likely turn to credit. By renting items instead of buying them, you leave your available credit lines open for other needs. This gives you more confidence that you can get through a slow spell or make smaller purchases when facing a cash flow shortage.

Because of all of these benefits, equipment rental simply makes sense for many businesses. The next time you find your business to be in need of a forklift, consider renting or long-term lease instead of purchasing one. It just might save you some money and increasing your company’s bottom-line.

Ring Power Lift Trucks has over 350 forklifts in its short-term rental fleet to choose from with capacities ranging from 3,000 to 52,000 lbs. Rent a forklift with a configuration that makes you most productive. Rent electric, gasoline, LP-gas or diesel forklifts or rent a specialized material handling forklift, such as quad-mast, truck mounted forklifts, piggyback trucks, flatbed trailers, narrow aisle trucks or order-pickers.

We supply a variety of productive attachments including carpet poles, box clamps, bail clamps, push pulls, single doubles, rotators, fork positioners, and paper roll clamps. We also rent sit-down, stand-on and walk-behind forklifts. Rental forklift rates includes maintenance and transportation of lift trucks to and from your premises.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Ocala, Sarasota and Tallahassee. 

1AIR COMPRESSOR SERVICE AGREEMENTS. With a full range of coverage options available, service agreements inspect your air compressor for wear, damage and potential failure. Below are three different types of Air Compressor Service Agreements and their key benefits:

• Planned Maintenance Agreements — Offer compressed air maintenance at specified service intervals. Includes 46-point compressor inspection, filters and fluid. Ring Power offers air compressor rentals available when production cannot be interrupted.
• Compressor Owner Protection Plan — Ring Power assumes 100% of the maintenance and oversees the performance of your air compressor as if we owned it.
• AirTrility — Ring Power will design, install, monitor and maintain your air compressor system without asset ownership.

2 AIR COMPRESSOR FLUID ANALYSIS — Fluids are the life-blood of your air compressor. Fluids keep bearings lubricated. Fluids and coolants remove the heat of compression and keep your air compressor operating smoothly. Regular fluid sampling and analysis informs you if fluid needs to be changed, if intake air is contaminated, if fluids have been mixed or if sever wear is occurring. Key benefits:

• Current status of your lubricant and equipment
• Positive input to determine maintenance schedule
• Detailed history of lubricant performance
• Better control of maintenance expenditures

3 TRENDTRACKER — Conditioned monitoring and data management is playing a key role in the life of all equipment. More and more companies are realizing the benefits of preventative and predictive maintenance practices. Trending the performance of key components over time can provide advanced indication of imminent equipment failure. Key benefits:

• Helps reduce unplanned plant shutdowns
• Maximizes the life of your air compressor
• Detailed history of lubricant performance
• Repair before failure fixes typically are less costly
• Minimizes downtime

Ring Power offers a variety of air compressor maintenance programs that not only satisfy your needs, but also compliments your business objectives. Take advantage of Ring Power’s knowledge and expertise to help you assemble the exact level of service to meet your compressed air requirements. Ring Power services and supports all makes and models of air compressors. Contact us and we will have a consultant review your compressed air requirements.

Ring Power is a leading supplier of air compressors, air tools, compressor parts and air compressor service in Florida for over 45 years. Our offices serve Miami, Pompano Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Tallahassee areas. Buy, rent or lease electric or diesel air compressors and industrial air compressors with names like Sullair, Hurricane boosters, and Belaire. See all the air compressors, portable or industrial compressed air, high pressure, or ultra high pressure, at our website compressedair.ringpower.com.

How to evaluate a used forklift and things to look for to avoid getting ripped off.

Purchasing a used forklift does not have to be a monumental expenditure, and with careful consideration, a used forklift might make fiscal sense. Even though buying used forklifts makes sense for some material handling applications, there are many benefits and pitfalls to compare and consider during the purchasing decision.

When Buying a Used Forklift Makes Sense
• Lower cost
• Avoid loss of depreciation
• Avoids long lead times
• Has some form of used warranty and/or guarantee
• Fits your material handling application because it doesn’t require you purchasing a new one
• Might come with additional parts, accessories, and other items

But Be Cautious!
Looks can be decieving, here are some tips when you're ready to buy a used forklift:
• Wear – some forklifts for sale can be completely worn out or not operable when purchased
• Older forklifts may not have the latest safety items, features and options
• Won’t last as long as a new version because there are already a number of hours on the motor, chassis and other components.

Another useful tool in your selection process is how to evaluate used forklifts. Determination should be made for what kind of forklift and any attachments that your application will require. In other words, what kind of capacity, lift height, lift weight, side shift, etc., will you need? Carefully consider the make and model because some trucks are easier to get reliable maintenance for and have greater parts availability than others. Make sure to ask for all maintenance records and if none exist, have the truck mechanically evaluated. Look for leaks in the transmission, mast and tilt cylinders, differential, radiator and engine. Test drive the unit in order to check all of its operations. Lift a load with the forklift to see how it operates under normal operating conditions and make sure all attachments are functioning properly. And lastly, evaluate the dealer you are considering purchasing from. What is their reputation? How long have they been in business? Do they have certified mechanics on staff?

With this said, finding a reputable dealer is the important link to the used forklift purchasing process. Make sure you know who you are buying from and that you are dealing with a strong company that can back their used equipment. This company should have a sound service department with qualified mechanics and have a parts department that could supply your parts orders quickly.

What Makes Our Trucks Different?
Ring Power Lift Trucks' Used Forklifts Department purchases all of its equipment from reputable venders, customers, and has the option of pulling units out of our rental fleet. We then perform the following services on each lift truck:

• Our service department performs a complete inspection and steam cleans every used lift truck.
• A condition report is generated and reviewed by the Used Forklift Manager. All necessary repairs are preformed and a complete safety check is completed to insure a Ring Power Certified Used piece of equipment.
• After the lift truck's inspection and before the unit is put in to inventory or delivered to the customer, the service department completes a final Quality Control Inspection Report.
  This report insures customer satisfaction at time of delivery.
• Most important thing in this process is the paperwork from the time the unit has been purchased to the time the customer expects delivery.
  The used equipment process is designed to assure you, our customer, that the used forklift you've purchased has met Ring Power Standards and is labeled as Ring Power Certified.

Used forklifts are an economical solution for the right application. Do your homework and you could save yourself a lot of money on your next used forklift purchase.

If you feel a used and reconditioned forklift will suit your manufacturing or material handling operation, feel free to browse our online inventory of used forklifts. We have a variety of pneumatic, cushion, large capacity and specialty lift trucks available. Or contact us to speak with a representative.

Ring Power Lift Trucks  is the forklift division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Ocala, Sarasota and Tallahassee. Ring Power Lift Truck represents: Cat® Lift Trucks, Mitsubishi Forklifts, Clark forklifts, Linde forklifts, Kalmar Industrial Forklifts, Kalmar Container Handlers, specialized products by Bendi and Combilift and productive Cascade Attachments. All of these products utlized properly could help your warehousing operation to become more efficient and more productive warehouse.