In order to help avoid the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to inspect the front end of your forklift frequently as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems as they arise or in advance, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of loads as well. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must immediately be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once again. Visually inspect your forks for any visible signs of damage or wear. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward 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 a different 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 guarantee that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check needs 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 situated inside of the cylinder, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you might have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Inspect and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to check the chains for signs of wear or damage using a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for indications of wear.
The mast lift chain will typically wear at the pin-to-link connections. You can experience chain failure if you notice wear. This could end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you need help determining what exactly to check on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections according to your application requirements and scheduling.