When a Simple Task Becomes a Production Problem
Pressing bushings into a fork truck mast pivot doesn’t sound like a problem…
Until you’re doing it hundreds of times a shift.
When a “simple” task becomes repetitive on a production line, the cracks start to show:
• Bushings don’t seat the same way every time
• Alignment turns into trial and error
• Cycle times stretch
• Operators feel it in their shoulders and backs by the end of the day
That’s exactly what one industrial equipment manufacturer was facing at a critical mast pivot joint — a component that directly impacts how the mast moves and performs.
Without a dedicated press tool, the team relied on manual methods and general-purpose equipment. It worked… but not well enough for production.
A Purpose-Built Solution
Scott Janssen, Regional Sales Manager Midwest at Rhino Tool House, partnered with the manufacturer to change that.
The solution: a purpose-built pressing system using an Enerpac hydraulic cylinder powered by a pneumatic pump — designed to deliver consistent force and precise seating depth every time.
No more “feel-based” installation.
Just a controlled, repeatable process.
Designed for the Operator
To make it operator-friendly, the system was suspended from an articulated jib and supported by a balancer — reducing the effort required to position and use the tool throughout the shift.
The Results
The impact was immediate:
• Consistent bushing installation
• Improved alignment and seating accuracy
• Reduced operator fatigue
• Faster, more predictable cycle times
• Safer, more repeatable workflow
The Bigger Lesson
A lot of production issues don’t come from bad processes — they come from tools that were never designed for the job.
If a workstation in your plant is relying on workarounds, it might be time to rethink the tool — not the people.
Rhino Tool House can help build a better way.
