In order to help avoid the need for costly forklift repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or ahead of time, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of loads too. The following covers a few of the common guidelines on what particular things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is vital because if these are cracked or worn out, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift will have to immediately be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any kind of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more indication that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move down and up. You might need to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces and fittings if you find that the sliding surfaces are binding. 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 done, lower and raise 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 oil leaks and damage as an uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears kinked or rusted. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be inspected for signs of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you can experience chain failure. This can 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 require help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts, just call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your scheduling and application requirements.