In order to help avoid the requirement for costly forklift repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems in advance or as they occur, you could also help prevent damage to any loads as well. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what particular things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they might fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your forklift should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually inspect 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 need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move down and up. You might have to grease 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 every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it backward and forward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily inspection needs to include the checking for damage and oil leaks because an uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of leaks or damage, you may have to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains have to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Furthermore, check the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. 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 need to be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, simply call your local lift truck dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your application requirements and scheduling.