In order to help avoid the need for costly forklift 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 happen or in advance, you could also help prevent damage to any kind of loads too. The following includes several of the common guidelines on what particular things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently inspecting the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck should immediately be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once more. Visually inspect your forks for any visible 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 another sign that you have to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt backward and forward while being able to move down and up. You might need 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been done, tilt it backward and forward and also lower and raise the mast several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to include the checking for oil leaks and damage as an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by 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
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 using 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 sheave bearings and the chain rollers also need to be checked for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain would typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you discover wear. This could end up damaging front end components 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, just contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your application needs and scheduling.