In order to help prevent the requirement for costly forklift repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following includes several of the common guidelines on what particular things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is important because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift will need to instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually check your forks for any visible indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might have to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for damage and oil leaks as an uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may have to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for signs of wear or damage using a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings must also be inspected for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain will usually wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This could end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you need help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, just contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your application needs and scheduling.