In order to help avoid the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they occur, you can also help prevent damage to any cargo as well. The following covers a few of the general guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift will need to instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable indications of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more indication that you must 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 may need to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting situated on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward several times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to include the checking for oil leaks and damage as 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 can be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Inspect and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for indications 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 kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be inspected for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your scheduling and application needs.