In order to help prevent the requirement for expensive forklift repairs, it is recommended to inspect the front end of your lift truck regularly as part of your daily and even pre-shift inspection. By catching any problems in advance or as they occur, you could also help prevent damage to any cargo too. The following covers a few of the general guidelines on what particular stuff to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
It is important to regularly inspect the forks because if they are cracked or worn out, they could potentially fail without warning. Any type of fork damage means that your lift truck should instantly be removed from service until it is repaired and safe once again. Visually check your forks for any visible indications of damage or wear. 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 have to lubricate 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 every side roller. When the lubricating has been done, tilt it forward and backward and also lower and raise the mast a few times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked properly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement could be a result of oil leakage; hence, your inspection should include checking for damage and for oil leaks. Whether the leaks are located inside of the cylinder or are external, the end result may be cylinder drift and loss of fluid. If there are any signs of leaks or damage, you may have to replace the whole cylinder assembly, or just the seals.
Chains
Check and make certain that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for indications of damage or wear utilizing a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain seems rusted or kinked. Both the chain rollers and the sheave bearings also have to be checked for signs of wear.
Normally, 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 perform frequent fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform PM or planned maintenance inspections based on your scheduling and application requirements.