Tim's advice for newbie mechanics? "Just don't be afraid to learn. I've been in this type of job for a long time, and I am learning new things every day."
Tim Rizor has been working with H&K Equipment and Taylor Northeast for over six years. He loves the challenge and the variety of rebuilding forklifts for the company and tells us a bit about it here.
My name is Tim Rizor and I am an Assistant Shop Coordinator with H&K Equipment and Taylor Northeast. I work on rebuilds and help out in the workshop, taking care of any issues that arise.
I started out in the general rental field, working on dirt equipment as a mechanic, both in the shop and as a mobile mechanic. When I came to H&K and Taylor Northeast, it kind of helped me into the materials handling half of it. I began to specialise in electrical and hydraulic systems - a little bit of everything.
The thing I enjoy most about the work is the challenges I face every day. There are no two days that are the same. Every day you have a different challenge in front of you.
When a big job is brought in, we break it down into different pieces, and get the appropriate mechanic or employee working on it. Clear down to the bare frame, if necessary. If we need help from a different department, we'll get help from them. If we need help from the manufacturer, we'll approach them.
Timelaps: see a full 5-month-long Taylor TE-925S forklift rebuild
We have employees that are specialised in a lot of different aspects of rebuilding, and we pool all those employees together, put everything together, and make it happen.
H&K headquarters in Pennsylvania
The biggest challenges we experience are finding parts, especially sourcing parts for the some of the older equipment. Sometimes, we have to get parts made or make the parts ourselves.
I feel we can take care of just about any job that gets thrown at us. We have a good team of people, and I believe our team can handle anything that anybody wants to bring here.
For anybody coming into this type of work, I would recommend coming in with an open mind and a positive attitude. Just don't be afraid to learn. I've been in this type of job for a long time, and I am learning new things every day. So, if you do that, you will go far.
The best advice I have been offered in my career is to not be afraid to step out of your element. Keep an open mind. Sometimes you might have to take a step back if you come into a problem that you can't resolve.
When I am not working on forklifts, I like to fish, shoot sporting clays and I also love woodworking.
WORKSHOP FUN FACTS
No. of forklifts refurbished per year:
10 – 12 Big Taylors (above 30,000 pounds capacity).
But we are working on expanding our shop space to increase this number.
No. of hours to rebuild a big Taylor machine:
750 to 1,000 hours depending on the size of the truck.
No. of people in the workshop team:
12 people devoted to rebuilds
Combined years’ experience in the team:
180 combined years’ experience
Favourite song listened to while working:
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” – The Scorpions
Favourite morning tea snack:
Coffee!
Work in materials handling? The Forklift Diaries would love to hear your story!