In order to help avoid the need for expensive forklift repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems as they happen or in advance, you can also help avoid damage to any kind of loads as well. The following covers a few of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is important because if these are cracked or worn out, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift should instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any visible signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any type of wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is one more sign that you must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast should ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move down and up. You may 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 situated on every 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, raise and lower 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
Uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage; hence, your inspection must involve checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains need to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Moreover, check the chain wear guage or check the chains for indications of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers also have to be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice 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 regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to check on your lift trucks, simply call your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.