In order to help prevent the need for costly forklift repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any loads too. The following covers some of the common guidelines on what specific things to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can potentially fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your forklift should instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once more. Visually check your forks for any visible indications of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need 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 every 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 correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for damage and oil leaks since an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for indications of wear or damage utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain will usually wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This could end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections according to your application needs and scheduling.