In order to help avoid the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is suggested to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your pre-shift and even daily examination. By catching any problems in advance or as they occur, you could also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo too. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what particular things to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Frequently checking the forks is important because if these are worn out or cracked, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift would need to instantly be removed from service until it is safe and fixed once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable indications of wear or damage. 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 must replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt backward and forward 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 located on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked into the fittings correctly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; therefore, your inspection should include inspecting for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you may need to replace the entire cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains need to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Also, check the chain wear guage or check the chains for signs of damage. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks kinked or rusted. The sheave bearings and the chain rollers should also be checked for signs of wear.
Usually, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance checks based on your application needs and scheduling.