If sitting in the cab of your forklift for even short periods of time leads to a sore back, general discomfort, or a pain in the rear end, it could be time for a forklift replacement seat.

While most forklifts are designed to provide many years, or even decades, of continual use, normal wear and tear caused by the absorption of even standard use can accelerate the breakdown of forklift seats. Depending on how often and how hard you use your forklift, other factors, including the size of the operator, forklift seats may need to be replaced as often as every couple of years.

So how do you go about replacing your forklift’s seats? Here are a couple of ideas to make the task easier.

Use the Exact Same Type of Forklift Replacement Seat

Perhaps the simplest solution is to replace your worn out forklift seat with a brand new version of the exact same seat.

Replacing one forklift seat with an exact duplicate ensures that it’s going to fit. Plus, installation of the seat should be fast and easy.

Yet if your original forklift seat wore out faster than you expected, the same thing probably will happen when you use the exact same type of forklift replacement seat.

Go for Maximum Comfort

You aren’t required to use the exact same type of seat, especially if you were disappointed with its longevity and comfort in the first place.

Instead, a better approach might be to replace your worn seat with one that is more comfortable, as well as more durable. There are many forklift replacement seats that are designed to fit easily into practically any standard forklift.

Just make sure the bolt pattern on the new seat is the same as the one you are replacing otherwise you may not be able to install it easily.

Spend a Little More On Your Forklift Replacement Seat for Better Ergonomics

Another consideration when buying a forklift replacement seat is ergonomics. Some seats are designed to provide maximum support as well as comfort so that operators can stay behind the wheel productively and pain-free longer.

Seats with advanced ergonomic features such as lower lumbar support and additional shock absorption typically cost slightly more than standard forklift replacement seats. But the additional productivity and less wear and tear on your employees’ bodies often makes it money well spent.

When you factor in the money you will spend on downtime caused by call-offs, more frequent breaks, and other hidden costs of using poorly made forklift replacement seats, the extra money for ergonomically beneficial forklift replacement seats is usually well worth it.

Ask Your Operators

The best way to understand the benefits and drawbacks of various forklift seats is to get feedback from the front lines: In this instance, your forklift operators.

Ask your drivers what they like and dislike about their current seats. If practical, engage them in the purchasing process when shopping for new seats. Nobody understands better what constitutes a high-quality forklift replacement seat than the people who sit in them for hours at a time day after day.