In order to help prevent the requirement for costly forklift repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems as they happen or ahead of time, you can also help avoid damage to any kind of loads too. The following includes some of the common guidelines on what specific things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently inspecting the forks is vital because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck would need to instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once more. 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 sign that you should replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move down and up. You may need 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 every 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, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; thus, your inspection should include inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might need to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains have to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Furthermore, inspect 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 looks rusted or kinked. 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 can experience chain failure. 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 perform regular fleet inspections, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks according to your application needs and scheduling.