In order to help avoid the need for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo as well. The following covers some of the general guidelines on what particular things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is important because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck should immediately be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable signs of damage or wear. 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 should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You might have 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. Once the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs to involve the checking for damage and oil leaks because an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might need 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 certain to inspect the chains for signs of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for indications of wear.
Normally, 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 do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you need help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.