In order to help avoid the requirement for costly lift truck repairs, it is recommended to check the front end of your forklift regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems as they occur or ahead of time, you can also help prevent damage to any kind of cargo too. The following covers several of the common guidelines on what specific stuff to inspect during frequent inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important 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 should instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once again. Visually check your forks for any visible signs 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 indication that you have to 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 have to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. On the inner mast there is a fitting located on each side. The lift bracket side rollers are another lubrication point and there is also one on every side roller. Once the lubricating has been completed, raise and lower the mast and also tilt it forward and backward a few times in order to guarantee that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; therefore, your inspection should include checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are situated inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result can be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any indications of damage or leaks, you might have 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. Additionally, inspect 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 appears kinked or rusted. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings must also be checked for indications of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you could experience chain failure. This can end up damaging front end components or even the product. If you need help determining what precisely to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, simply contact your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM checks according to your application needs and scheduling.