In order to help prevent the need for expensive forklift repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems in advance or as they arise, you could also help prevent damage to any type of cargo as well. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what particular things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to regularly inspect the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can potentially fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift must instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs 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 sign that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move up and down. 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 situated on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, tilt it forward and backward and also raise and lower the mast several times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for oil leaks and damage since an uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains have to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. What's more, inspect the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks rusted or kinked. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be inspected for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging the product or front end components. If you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform regular fleet inspections, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application needs and scheduling.