Midwest BlogThursday, October 16 2025
Investing in forklifts and other material-handling equipment is a necessity for warehouse, manufacturing, distribution and port operations. But in 2025, thanks to favorable tax rules, such purchases can also deliver a powerful tax benefit right away: Section 179 expensing (plus bonus depreciation). Below, we will explain:
What Is Section 179?Under U.S. tax law, “Section 179” is a provision that allows a business to deduct (i.e. “expense”) the cost of certain qualifying property in the year it is placed in service — rather than capitalizing the cost and writing it off gradually through depreciation over many years. Ordinarily, most machinery or equipment would be subject to depreciation (for example, over 5 or 7 years, using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, MACRS). Section 179 lets you “front-load” that deduction, within limits, so you get more tax benefit right away. Because the tax code also provides bonus depreciation (or “special depreciation allowances”), many businesses combine Section 179 and bonus depreciation to immediately write off 100% of the cost in the first year, provided certain rules are satisfied. Why Forklifts, Terminal Tractors, Container Handlers and Material-Handling Equipment QualifyForklifts, lift trucks, warehouse racking, conveyors, loading dock equipment, terminal tractors, container handlers and similar material-handling machinery are generally tangible property used in business operations. Because they are “property used in a trade or business,” they often qualify for Section 179 expensing. Key points:
Thus, for many businesses purchasing related equipment, Section 179 (plus bonus depreciation) offers a way to deduct large capital outlays immediately, rather than stretching them over years. How the Deduction Works in Practice (Example)To illustrate, let’s run through a hypothetical scenario. (This is illustrative only; consult your tax advisor for your numbers.)
Step 1: Elect Section 179 Step 2: Bonus Depreciation Result: Without Section 179 + bonus depreciation, you might have been limited to a smaller first-year depreciation (e.g. a fraction under MACRS), with the balance spread over future years. Imagine your tax rate is 25%. That $100,000 deduction saves you $25,000 in taxes now (assuming you have sufficient taxable income). And because you got the deduction sooner, you keep more of that cash to reinvest in operations, maintenance, or additional equipment. Benefits of Using Section 179Here are the main advantages:
Things to Watch Out For / Potential RisksWhile Section 179 offers a strong incentive, there are pitfalls or constraints to be aware of:
We always recommend you consult your own tax professional to ensure you receive all the benefits of Section 179 and that your business qualifies for the benefits. Visit our homepage to see our selection of new forklifts. For more information or pricing, contact us at 877-366-7261. Monday, September 22 2025
Now you can quickly locate missing trucks, digitally complete and store pre-shift inspections, and shutdown trucks remotely when needed. And the avoid surprise truck breakdowns by never missing a preventative maintenance task. Improve productivity by identifying downtime times and underused trucks. Automated Pre-Shift InspectionsAutomates pre-shift inspections that now go faster Automatically saves inspections digitally – no more time wasted searching for proof of inspections or paying OSHA fines for lack of inspection records
Accident and Impact AlertsReal time notification of accidents or high impact events, along with location of truck.
Shut down truck if an impact is detected and require a supervisor to allow further truck use. GPS Tracking & ControlAlways know the location of your trucks
Improve productivity and lower labor cost with analyticsAnalyze driver and truck utilization
Display records of the following:
Summarize replies to:
Customize analytical reports per customer needs Operator license management Automated Service AlertsCreate prompts for future maintenance required
Never miss a required maintenance, avoid surprise breakdowns, and keep your trucks running longer Direct Messaging To Operator
Access Control
CLARK Smart will soon be availble on the following models:
For more information, contact us at 877-366-7261. Tuesday, June 24 2025
As summer temperatures rise, so do the risks for heat-related illnesses—especially for workers in the material handling and warehouse industries, where physical exertion and limited airflow are part of the daily routine. Whether employees are loading trucks outdoors, managing logistics in open-air yards, or working in non-climate-controlled warehouses, staying cool isn’t just a matter of comfort—it’s a matter of safety. Employers have a responsibility to protect their teams from heat stress and related hazards. This article offers practical, proven tips to help keep your workforce safe, cool, and productive throughout the hottest months of the year. 1. Hydration Strategies
2. Shade & Rest Breaks
3. Clothing & Gear
4. Work Schedule Adjustments
5. Cooling Equipment
6. Training & Awareness
7. Technology Solutions
8. Environmental Enhancements
Pro Tips
Tuesday, April 22 2025
As managers and owners, we want a safe work environment for all of our employees. Unfortunately, all too often it escapes us. Time passes quickly, and initiatives that were once important standards become guidelines or even merely suggestions. How can we ensure that when we put safety measures in place, they will stay in place as employees come and go in a business climate that is constantly in flux? While we lack the space to answer this question in full detail here, there are a few major approaches to providing a safe work environment that transcend industries, equipment and facilities. We outline these “hows and whys” of workplace safety below. Since 1970, OSHA has worked to create a safer workplace for all employees, and their mission has been very successful. However, accidents still happen, and not only at companies willfully violating OSHA standards. Sometimes safety goes beyond meeting standards due to unique circumstances in certain operations. The following are a few approaches to safety that have helped both large and small companies to achieve better workplace safety, fewer incidents and accidents, lower costs, more productivity and better workplace attitudes. Safety is integrated with company missionSafe companies put as much emphasis on doing things safely as on doing them productively. From day one, every employee knows they are working for a company that would rather they do their job safely than quickly. These employees will lockout a piece of equipment when something goes wrong, will replace light bulbs that need it instead of ignoring them and will report unsafe behavior or unsafe conditions. Training never endsEmployees are involved in ongoing training – how to lift more safely, how to sit properly in a chair, how to operate a certain piece of equipment and so on. Your business is fluid: things change; equipment changes; and equipment, building space and employees are added. As your conditions change, your training must address these changes. Training for the safest work environments is never a one-time event or a two- or three-day training initiation. It is an ongoing pursuit of the safest possible work facility. It should be a goal of all employees to see that their coworkers go home safe every night. Involvement at all levelsWhile involvement in a safe work environment must start from the corner office, the mission and strategy it is also important to ensure that every employee knows that they are involved and responsible. It is a good idea to create safety teams for every facet of your business, to revolve people in and out of those teams, and to have them conduct frequent facility or department reviews to identify potential threats. The most successful companies have reward systems for reporting anything that could be a potential threat, even if it is as minor as a sharp corner on a coat rack. This keeps all employees engaged in creating a safe work environment. AccountabilityOnce you have established your safety mission and mapped out your strategy, everyone involved must be held accountable. No one can shirk their safety responsibilities. If a sharp corner on a coat rack is missed and someone gets cut, find out why no one noticed. Are they doing regular inspections? If safety standards are not being met, it is the leadership’s job to find out why and fix it. Everyone must know that if an accident happens on their watch, it must be accounted for and a plan must be designed to ensure that it will not happen again. A truly safe, productive and profitable workplace is attained through ongoing efforts, and these are just a few of the major traits of successful organizations. We encourage you to seek the assistance of OSHA, NIOSH or other private safety consultants to help you organize and strategize your safety plans. If there is anything we can do to help you in your quest for a safer material handling operation, please contact us at 877-366-7261. Learn more about training and forklift safety by Midwest Industrial Equipment. Monday, March 24 2025
Your forklift’s forks bear the brunt of your loading and unloading operations. Wear and tear, or damage to either component can create a dangerous situation for your employees and anyone working around your fleet. And a 10% wear on your forks can reduce your safe lifting capacity by 20%, making your 5,000lb. forklift, a 4,000lb. forklift. Inspecting your forklift forks regularly is essential for safety and efficiency. Here’s a step-by-step guide to inspecting your forks properly: 1. Visual Inspection
2. Measure Fork Thickness
4. Confirm Even Fork Height
5. Inspect Load Markings
6. Test Fork Operation
7. Follow OSHA or Manufacturer Guidelines If any defects or wear exceed safety limits, replace the forks immediately rather than attempting repairs. Forklifts depend on strong, reliable forks to operate safely. Contact us at 877-366-7261 and we will help you select the proper forks for your forklift and operational requirements. Wednesday, October 16 2024
Winter is upon us and heating a warehouse or manufacturing facility can be quite expensive. To manage heat retention in a warehouse, especially during colder months, here are some effective tips: 1. Improve Insulation
2. Seal Air Leaks
3. Use Thermal Curtains or Air Barriers
4. Optimize Heating Systems
5. Harness Heat from Machinery
6. Proper Ventilation
7. Install Ceiling Fans
8. Thermal Mass Flooring
9. Radiant Floor Heating
10. Use Smart Thermostats
These strategies can help keep a warehouse warm during colder months without excessive energy consumption. Wednesday, September 11 2024
Your forklift tires are the only thing that stands between thousands of pounds of forklift and the Earth beneath. As many can attest, if you ignore the importance of the tires, bad things can happen including more frequent replacement, increased operating costs, accidents and even injuries. Some experts estimate that forklift tires can account for as much as 30% of a forklift’s operating budget. Following are a few things you can do to ensure that you have optimized the performance of your forklift tires and are getting the best performance and useful life. Selecting the right tire We could write an encyclopedia on this topic as there are many factors to consider. Our best suggestion is to meet with a professional who knows forklift tires (like one of our aftermarket customer support representatives). A trained professional will consider factors like the types of equipment you operate, what type of surface they are operating on and what are the conditions of operation? Do your forklifts operate on a smooth surface in a temperature-controlled environment, or is the surface rough, gravel, blacktop or is the floor subject to debris? Are your forklifts making frequent turns, never getting to full speed, or do your forklifts frequently make long runs which generate much more heat? After consulting with you and observing your operation, a professional can suggest tires that will last longer, wear better, resist heat, while maximizing operator comfort. And if you’re purchasing a new forklift, make sure the right forklift tire is part of the quote. Standard issue tires can work for some operations, but be sure you’re getting the right tire for your operation before you put it into service. Little known fact: If your forklifts frequently carry loads that are half the rated capacity of the forklift, it puts more pressure on your steer tires as the load up front does not balance out the load of the counterweight. Keep up the Pressure Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure. Over-inflation and under-inflation both cause uneven wear. Purchase a Premium Tire We’re not suggesting you simply purchase the most expensive tire. However, purchasing a tire simply because it’s on sale or is the lowest cost alternative, will often end up costing you more in the long-run. After consulting with a professional, there are usually options based upon your operation and budgetary constraints. Finding the BEST tire for your operation, usage, wear and tear, will pay off in the long run. The quality of tire should likely increase with the weight of the load, length of the run and condition of the surface on which it operates. Match Tires to Application Use tires that are suitable for the specific conditions of your warehouse, such as cushion tires for indoor use or pneumatic tires for outdoor use. Rotation and Alignment
Frequent Inspections Pre-shift inspections are required by OSHA and tire inspections are part of that process. Look for things like stress cracks, tread wear and chunking. Knowing how to determine wear on your tires depends upon the type of tire and how the manufacturer determines it is time to replace. When you purchase your forklift tires, be sure the representative explains how to inspect them and when it is time for “re-tirement.” And make that inspection part of your forklift operator training. All your operators should know how to inspect all your forklift tires. Keep it Clean Keeping the surface a forklift operates on clean will provide additional useful life of your forklift tires. Metal bands, shrapnel, nails, screws and the like are the obvious enemies of a forklift tire and if your operation is manufacturing, you probably have plenty of debris to consider. Often times a floor sweeper (rider or push) will pay for itself over time in reduced damage to your tires. In addition to the obvious culprits there are other concerns with operating surface. Dirt and debris can build which can reduce traction of the forklift tires creating a dangerous operating environment. A regular review of your floor can also reduce damaging factors. Things like uneven concrete joints, cracks in pavement or concrete surfaces and dock plates that are un-even or damaged can reduce wear and increase damage. Some customers even consider the condition of the tractor trailer floors. Things like nails in the floors or large splinters in trailer floors can wreak havoc on your forklift tires. Creating a regular process for purchasing and caring for forklift tires can provide many benefits to safety, productivity and your bottom line. Our Planned Maintenance program can take a lot of these considerations off your hands. Learn more about it and get a quote tailored to your fleet's needs. To consult with one of our tire professionals, please contact us at 877-366-7261. Monday, August 19 2024
Forklift operators are typically required to undergo refresher training at specific intervals to ensure they continue to operate forklifts safely and effectively. The specific requirements for refresher training can vary by country, region, and organization, but some common guidelines and triggers for refresher training include:
You can read the verbiage directly from OSHA HERE. It’s essential for employers to maintain records of forklift operator training and refresher training, as well as to have a clear training and retraining program in place. The goal is to ensure that forklift operators remain competent and safe in their duties. The specific requirements and intervals for refresher training may vary, so it’s important to consult local regulations and industry standards to determine the appropriate schedule for your organization. Midwest is your reliable source for forklift operator training in the Southwest Ohio area. Contact us for scheduling at 877-366-7261. Tuesday, June 18 2024
With warehouse and storage space at a premium, more companies are looking for alternatives to increasing their footprint by expanding current space or purchasing new space. Sometimes a reach truck can be the perfect solution to increasing space, and productivity in your material handling and storage operation. While a reach truck is not suited for all operations, where it can be used, provides three significant benefits.
For a consultation about the possibility of a reach truck for your operation, and how it might benefits, please Contact Us or give us a call at 877-366-7261. Wednesday, May 08 2024
National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) 2024 events will be held in Washington, DC on June 9th and 10th, 2025. This event is open to the public and free of charge. Learn more about the event and register to attend. What You Can Do to Recognize Forklift Safety DayForklift Safety Day is a great opportunity to review your forklift safety program and/or plan. And if you don’t have a program or plan, this would be a great opportunity to create one! Start with Forklift Operator Training
Forklift Inspections and Maintenance
Forklift Safety is No AccidentWe’re here to help you maintain safety in your forklift operations by ensuring all your employees that might operate a forklift, know the limitations and dangers of forklifts AND to ensure they are all operating a peak efficiency and safety. To speak to one of our professional about any aspects of your forklift fleet’s safety or performance, just give us a call at 877-366-7261. |















