It is recommended to frequently check the front end of your forklift 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 kind of loads too. The following includes a few of the common guidelines on what specific things to inspect during regular inspections of your material handling fleet.
Forks
Regularly checking the forks is vital because if these are worn out or cracked, they may fail without warning. Any kind of fork damage means that your forklift must instantly be removed from service until it is fixed and safe once again. Visually inspect your forks for any visible signs 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 indication that you should replace the forks.
Mast
Ideally, the mast should tilt forward and back and be able to smoothly move up and down. If you find that the sliding surfaces are binding, you may 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 done, lower and raise the mast and also tilt it backward and forward several times in order to make certain that the lubricant is worked correctly into the fittings.
Tilt Cylinders
Uncontrolled mast movement can be a result of oil leakage; thus, your inspection should include inspecting for oil leaks and for damage. Whether the leaks are external or are situated inside of the cylinder, the end result may be loss of fluid and cylinder drift. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, you may have to replace just the seals or the entire cylinder assembly.
Chains
Check and make sure that the mast chains are not stretching beyond their acceptable limits. Also be sure to inspect the chains for signs of damage or wear using a chain wear gauge. If wear is present beyond 2 percent, replace the chain. Also replace it if the chain appears kinked or rusted. The chain rollers and the sheave bearings also need to be checked for signs of wear.
Typically, mast lift chains wear at the pin-to-link connections. If you discover wear, you can experience chain failure. This can end up damaging the product or front end components. If you need help determining what exactly to inspect on your lift trucks or if you do not have time on hand to carry out frequent fleet inspections, just call your local forklift dealer. Their skilled service technicians will help your perform planned maintenance or PM inspections according to your scheduling and application needs.