In order to help prevent the requirement for expensive forklift repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift examination. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they happen, you can also help avoid damage to any loads as well. The following covers some of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your lift truck must instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once more. Visually inspect your forks for any noticeable signs of wear or damage. If the cracks run deeper than on the surface, replace them. Any wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another sign that you need to replace the forks.
Mast
The mast must ideally tilt forward and backward while being able to move up and down. You might have 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 situated on every side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on each side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward a few times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked into the fittings properly.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection should involve checking for oil leaks and for damage. 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 signs of damage or leaks, you may need to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
The mast chains need to be inspected to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. What's more, inspect 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 rusted or kinked. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be checked for indications 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 front end components or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out regular fleet inspections or if you require help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts, just contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application requirements.