It is recommended to frequently inspect the front end of your forklift as part of your pre-shift or daily examination, in order to help avoid expensive forklift repairs. By catching any problems ahead of time or as they arise, you can also help avoid damage to any type of cargo too. The following covers a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to check during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly inspecting the forks is vital because if these are cracked or worn out, they might fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift must instantly be removed from service until it is safe and repaired once more. Visually check 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 have to 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 may need to grease the mast strip sliding surfaces as well as their fittings. 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, raise and lower 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
Your daily inspection has to involve the checking for damage and oil leaks because an uncontrolled mast movement could be caused by oil leakage. Whether the leaks are external or are located inside of the cylinder, the end result could be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any indications of leaks or damage, you might need to replace just the seals or the whole cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be certain to check the chains for indications of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If there is wear beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears rusted or kinked. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings must also be inspected for signs of wear.
Usually, 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 need help determining what exactly to inspect on your forklifts or if you do not have time on hand to perform frequent fleet inspections, simply call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians would help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections based on your application needs and scheduling.