If you find yourself being told from an equipment dealer that your equipment will not be warrantied if someone else performs the maintenance on the equipment in question, Than ask them what the Federal Trade Commission has to say about it, There is no particular regulations on forklifts, but I'm sure the same business ethics apply to the Material Handling Industry as to the person buying a $40,000. car. I have heard certain dealers are trying to give the impression to Customers that the dealer is the only one who can perform maintenance on new Equipment, It is true that they are the only ones who can perform Warranty Repairs, I just thought I would try and clear the Air little.(see attached)
http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt192.shtm.