It is recommended to frequently check the front end of your lift truck 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 occur, you could also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo too. The following includes several of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to check during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is vital to frequently check the forks because if they are worn out or cracked, they can probably fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift will need to immediately be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any visible indications 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 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 a different lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. Once the lubricating has been done, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to make sure that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; thus, your inspection must include checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you might have to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains have to be inspected 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 wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers should also be inspected for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you notice wear, you can experience chain failure. This could end up damaging the product or front end parts. If you require help determining what precisely to check on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections, simply contact your local lift truck dealer. Their trained service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application needs and scheduling.