It is recommended to often check the front end of your forklift as part of your pre-shift or daily inspection, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems in advance or as they happen, you can also help avoid damage to any type of loads too. The following covers several of the general guidelines on what particular stuff to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly 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 will need to instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable 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 should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need to lubricate the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. 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 every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to include the checking for damage and oil leaks because an uncontrolled mast movement can be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Inspect and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to check the chains for signs of wear or damage using a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks rusted or kinked. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be checked for signs of wear.
The mast lift chain would normally wear at the pin-to-link connections. You could experience chain failure if you discover wear. This can end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you require help determining what precisely to check on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application needs.