In order to help prevent the need for costly forklift repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your lift truck frequently as part of your pre-shift and even daily inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they arise, you can also help avoid damage to any cargo too. The following covers some of the common guidelines on what specific stuff to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is essential to regularly inspect the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they can potentially fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your forklift must immediately be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any noticeable 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 should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast must tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you might need to grease 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. Once the lubricating has been done, tilt it backward and forward and also lower and raise the mast a few times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage; therefore, your inspection must involve checking for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result could be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to check the chains for indications of wear or damage utilizing a chain wear gauge. 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 indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you could experience chain failure. This could end up damaging the product or front end components. If you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application needs and scheduling.