Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
Q&A: 10 Tips from a CanLift Technician
One of CanLift’s foreman at our Burlington branch, Albert John.
Technicians keep job sites moving. In this Q&A with Foreman Albert John, he shares practical advice that helps operators get more life and better performance out of their equipment year-round.
With more than seven years of experience as a Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician, Albert has built his career diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing all types of lift equipment, from telehandlers and boom lifts to scissor lifts and forklifts. Albert has worked closely with leading OEMs like JLG, Genie, and Skyjack, building a deep understanding of how to keep equipment performing at its best. Known for his precision and practical approach, he plays a key role in keeping CanLift’s fleet and customers’ equipment running safely and efficiently, ready for whatever the job demands.
- You’ve seen every kind of lift come through the shop. What’s one thing customers overlook that makes the biggest difference in performance and lifespan?
Basic care. Regular oil and filter changes, keeping batteries watered and charged, and running equipment properly go a long way. Most of the problems we see, like low hydraulic oil, dirty filters or overloading, come from skipped maintenance or rough use. The machines that get routine service and are treated right always last longer and perform better.
- A lot of customers are balancing owned and rented equipment. From your perspective, what’s the smartest way to plan maintenance when you have a mixed fleet?
Treat all machines the same when it comes to maintenance. Owned or rented, inspections and PMs should stay on schedule. Plan service around usage hours and track everything from oil changes to small repairs. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but good records prevent surprises.
- How early should customers start their winter maintenance planning, and what should that first step look like?
Never wait for the first cold snap, start early fall. Check batteries, fluids, block heaters, hydraulic oil, and glow plugs on diesel units. It’s also a good time to knock out any overdue service or fix leaks. Getting that done early means your lift starts easier and performs better when temperatures drop. Less downtime, fewer headaches.
- Preventive maintenance can sometimes feel optional until something fails. How does that investment pay off for customers in the long run?
It pays for itself every time. Staying on top of oil changes, filters, and inspections costs a lot less than replacing a pump or motor after something fails. Preventive maintenance is how you protect your investment and keep work flowing. Nobody wants a lift sitting in the shop when it should be on-site, servicing our customers’ needs.
- CanLift handles a wide range of makes and models. How does that experience help your team troubleshoot faster or find better solutions on-site?
Our range of experience is a big advantage. We work closely with certain OEMs, so we know the common issues and software updates for each brand. But we’ve also seen enough makes to know how to approach different systems for faster troubleshooting and fewer return visits.
- Technology in lifts is evolving quickly, from diagnostics to battery systems. How is CanLift staying ahead of those changes?
We learn by doing. Manufacturer training is extremely beneficial, but we always go further, testing new diagnostics, battery systems, and software ourselves in the shop. That extra effort means when new tech shows up in the field, we’re already familiar with it.
- What are the early warning signs operators should never ignore when it comes to lift performance or safety?
Anything that sounds, feels, or moves differently. Slow or jerky functions, new noises, cracked hoses, leaks, or corroded wiring are small things that can turn into big safety or performance problems, if ignored. Reporting them early keeps both the operator and the machine safe.
- What’s one simple habit or check operators can do daily that would save them a lot of service calls down the line?
A quick walk-around. Take five minutes before you start the day to check hoses, pins, tires, electrical connections, and fluid levels. Look for leaks or worn parts. That simple habit saves a lot of downtime and expensive repairs.
AJ using JLG’s website to look up parts and manuals.
- What kind of support can customers expect from CanLift if something goes wrong on-site?
Fast response and real support. We’ll troubleshoot over the phone first to get you moving as quickly as possible. If a service tech is required, we will dispatch one as soon as one becomes available. For something like an oil leak, we’ll clean and fix it on the spot. The goal is to keep your job on schedule and your lift safe to use.
- Can you share a memorable on-the-job story where CanLift’s service made a big difference for a customer?
One day, a customer’s lift completely lost communication with the turntable controller, and even a service tech couldn’t bring it down. I went to the site, safely overrode the system, and got the lift lowered. Before leaving, we made sure they had a replacement unit so their job didn’t stall. That’s what CanLift has been about for 16 years. Real solutions and quick action for our customers.
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