It is recommended to frequently inspect the front end of your lift truck as part of your daily or pre-shift examination, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems as they arise or ahead of time, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following includes some of the common guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect 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 could potentially 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 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 wear on the forks beyond 10 percent is another indication that you should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt back and forward and be able to smoothly move down and up. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may have 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 another lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. When the lubricating has been completed, tilt it backward and forward and also raise and lower the mast several times in order to ensure that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Your daily check has to involve the checking for oil leaks and damage as an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage. 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 leaks or damage, you may need to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
The mast chains have to be checked to see if they are being stretched beyond their acceptable limits. Additionally, check the chain wear guage or check the chains for indications of damage. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain looks rusted or kinked. Both the sheave bearings and the chain rollers must also be inspected 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 can end up damaging front end parts or even the product. If you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections or if you require help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks, simply call your local forklift dealer. Their trained service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks based on your scheduling and application requirements.